Use of Antidepressant Drugs And Decreased Sexual Desire In Men And Women

Introduction

For years, studies have indicated that the use of different types of antidepressant drugs causes high incidence of decreased sexual desire in both men and women who take them. The incidence, intensity and distribution of this condition vary from place to place and largely depend on the specific drug that is being used. In this article, a number of common antidepressant drugs that are responsible for decreased levels of sexual desire in men and women will be examined. This will be followed by a brief description of how this process actually occurs. Lastly, various solutions that are used to treat the condition will be briefly discussed.

Some common antidepressant drugs that cause decreased sexual desire

Before we look at specific antidepressant drugs that are responsible for decreased sexual desire among men and women, it is perhaps important to point out at this stage that there are many types of drugs that when used have been known to cause decline in sexual desire in individuals. Generally, drugs that are meant to be used to cure psychiatric problems may have an effect on the level, frequency and intensity of sexual desire in men and women who use them. Therefore, drugs such as triazolam and diazepam which are used to treat conditions such as insomnia and excessive anxiety have been found to reduce the level of sexual desire in men and women who use them. The same effect has been found for drugs such as sparine which are used in the treatment of general psychotic conditions.

In the case of antidepressants, many of the drugs that are used as first line of treatment for the condition have been shown to cause decreased sexual desire in both sexes. The Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, as they are commonly called, have been found to cause a wide range of problems which generally interfere with the overall sexual desire in men and women who use them. Also, tricyclic antidepressants which are used to treat depression have been found to decrease the level of sexual desire in both sexes.

How use of antidepressant drugs causes decreased sexual desire

The manner in which different antidepressant drugs reduce the level of sexual desire in men and women who are using them is complex and varies with the specific drug that is being used. However, in simple terms, the drugs interfere with the secretion, distribution and effect of special hormones which are associated with sexual drive. The result of this is that a man experiences different sexual issues such as delayed orgasm or failure to initiate an erection. For a woman, the failure to experience orgasm is a common occurrence.

The manner in which Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors cause decreased sexual desire in men and women is fascinating. First, when used, the drugs cause a sudden rise in the level of serotonin in the body. This leads to a decrease in the level of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, in the body. Following the decrease of dopamine, the amount of cortico-limbic 5-HT is suddenly increased. This condition is what leads to decreased sexual desire in individuals. Of course the manifestation of decreased sexual desire varies with the sexes. Whereas men may fail to erect or take long to ejaculate, women usually experience it in the form of failing to reach an orgasm

What is important is that many different antidepressant drugs cause a decrease in sexual desire by affecting specific aspects of sex. Depending on the way in which they work, the drugs may inhibit orgasm in men and women, mess up with the erection process in men, inhibit lubrication in women and reduce overall libido in men and women.

Solutions to decreased sexual desire resulting from use of antidepressants

There are several strategies that can be used to treat decreased sexual desire resulting from use of antidepressant drugs in men and women. Each of the strategies, though, presents a number of possible challenges which need to be handled. For instance, decreasing the dosage of the antidepressant drugs will definitely reduce the severity of the side effects in the form of decreased sexual desire. However, this may compromise the outcome of the treatment regime being used.

In the same vein, using alternative drugs may help one overcome the effects of the earlier one at least for a while. But since many antidepressant drugs have been known to have different effects on the sexual drive of men and women who use them, it will only be a matter of time before a different set of problems occurs.

Using drugs that directly combat sexual dysfunction may help. But then interactions have been known to occur between such drugs and active ingredients that are found in a wide range of antidepressant drugs. Further, such drugs do present their own side effects over the long term, thus complicating matters further.

This leaves natural alternatives as the only viable option of handling the issue of decreased sexual desire arising from the effect of antidepressant drugs. There are a wide range of natural methods that can be used to help one regain sexual desire after suffering from the effects of antidepressant drugs. For instance, use of specific diet as well as natural products can help one regain the lost sexual drive without worrying about possible interactions with the drugs that are being used to treat depression.

Therefore, since decreased sexual desire is a highly sensitive issue, you need to see your doctor immediately the issue is detected. Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center can help you regain your libido by use of a wide range of safe and effective natural methods. Contact us today or pay us a visit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for effective and personalized services.