Table of contents:
- List of antidepressant drugs that cause side effects of decreased sex drive
- How can depression medication reduce sexual desire?
- Then how do you manage the side effects that arise from this antidepressant drug?
- 1. Lower the dose or change the drug
- 2. Consider the time of use
- 3. Slow down the foreplay
- 4. Taking additional drugs
Antidepressant drugs are one of the treatments offered for people who are depressed. However, just like any other medical drug, depression medication comes with its own risk of side effects. Starting from nausea, weight gain, to insomnia. Another common side effect of antidepressants is decreased sexual desire. So, how do you deal with the side effects of this antidepressant drug?
List of antidepressant drugs that cause side effects of decreased sex drive
Basically, any type of antidepressant drug can cause sexual problems. However, the side effects of certain drugs are stronger than others.
Some of the following antidepressants are reported to be most at risk of causing decreased libido and sexual problems:
- Citalopram (Calexa)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Paroxetine (Paxil and Paxil CR)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertaline (Zoloft).
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla)
- Amitriptyline
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
How can depression medication reduce sexual desire?
A decrease in sexual desire can both be experienced by men and women who are undergoing antidepressant drug therapy.
Most prescription antidepressant drugs are part of a family of drugs called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRI drugs work to increase serotonin levels in the body, causing a feeling of calm, relaxation, and happiness.
On the other hand, this relaxing effect can reduce arousal because it blocks the work of hormones that function to cause our bodies to respond to sexual stimulation. As a result, in addition to decreased sexual desire, you may also experience erection problems (difficult to erect and maintain), difficulty orgasm, vaginal dryness, and discomfort during sex.
The severity of the side effects experienced by each person can be different, depending on their general health condition and the type and dose of drugs used. For some people, these sexual side effects are only mild and can gradually improve as their bodies adjust to the treatment. For others, these side effects can continue.
Then how do you manage the side effects that arise from this antidepressant drug?
1. Lower the dose or change the drug
With a note, do not arbitrarily change the dosage yourself.You should consult your doctor first before changing the dose. It is the doctor who can determine to what extent the dose of your medication can be lowered without compromising its effectiveness.
Usually after the dose is reduced, you will be monitored for the next week with the new dose to see the effectiveness of the drug and other side effects.
If nothing changes, consult your doctor again to ask to change the type of medicine. Antidepressants with minimal sexual side effects include: bupropion, mirtazapine, vilazodone, and vortioxetine.
2. Consider the time of use
The timing of taking the medication turns out to be influential in overcoming unwanted side effects. For example, if your dose is to be taken only once a day, take it after you have sex with a partner. This method may make sex less spontaneous, but it is also worthwhile to try to schedule sex with your partner to adjust to the risk of side effects of your medication.
3. Slow down the foreplay
SSRI drugs don't actually affect your libido, only your desire or desire to have sex. This means that the penis can still be erect and the vagina can still be wet, but you don't have enough motivation to get there.
Well, this can be overcome by prolonging the foreplay to continue building passion. For example, by hugging, masturbating together, kissing, petting (rubbing genitals), using sex toys, stimulating the clitoris by hand, to oral sex. In essence, do whatever activities you and your partner like to increase arousal. Some sex positions can also help you build intimacy with your partner.
4. Taking additional drugs
Another solution is to take other additional drugs that can specifically improve sexual dysfunction. Reported on the Mayo Clinic page, drug choices that can improve sexual function include sidenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra). This method of course requires consultation with a doctor who understands your health condition.
