Growing stress and poor lifestyle choices have resulted in people facing acute physical and mental health issues. While health problems can be readily diagnosed and treated, mental health is often left undiagnosed and untreated because of its complexities. However, with changing times, quite a lot of attention is being given to people’s mental wellbeing.
Counseling, therapy, and medications have helped scores of men and women to bounce back from their deteriorating mental health. People undergoing therapy and medications for their anxiety and depression are often prescribed antidepressants.
Most antidepressants belong to the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). These drugs are highly effective in treating depression and anxiety. But as is always the case with most medications, these drugs also bring along their share of side effects.
Antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants, are commonly linked with sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is one of the main reasons that people choose to discontinue antidepressant medications.
Upon the usage of SSRI medications, several sexual side effects such as decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, arousal and orgasm problems, delayed ejaculation (or suppressed ejaculation), and dyspareunia (painful intercourse) are observed in men. Sexual side effects arising from this class of medications are known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction.
Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: What Does It Mean?
For treating depression and anxiety, doctors prescribe antidepressant medications. Sexual dysfunctions arising from SSRI-based medications are called Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD). However, in this type of dysfunction, the sexual functions of an individual do not entirely return to normal. According to a vast number of antidepressant medication users, even after discontinuing the medication, the side effects of using SSRI remain.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of PSSD?
Men suffering from PSSD have a range of signs and symptoms. The most commonly experienced symptoms of PSSD are-
- Decreased libido
- Delayed or inability to orgasm
- Reduced genital sensation
- Erectile dysfunction / decreased vaginal lubrication
- Reduced nipple sensitivity
- Pleasureless, weak orgasms
- Reduced response to sexual stimuli
- Premature ejaculation
Buy Cenforce 100mg Viagra & Get $25 OFF + Free Pills
PSSD sufferers also complain about sensitive or numb genitalia, as if exposed to an anesthetic. At the same time, other users notice a reduced sexual sensation. These problems are mostly accompanied by reduced nipple sensitivity.
SSRI Medications: Which Cause the Most Sexual Side Effects?
Antidepressant medications that belong to the class of SSRI cause more significant sexual problems than most other drugs. If you are taking any of the below-mentioned medications, then there is an increased risk of developing side effects. These drugs include-
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Paroxetine (Paxil and Paxil CR)
- Sertralin (Zoloft)
Buy Kamagra Oral Jelly Viagra & Get $25 Off
Why do Antidepressant Medications Cause Sexual Side Effects?
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are antidepressant prescription medicines and work by increasing the levels of serotonin in a person’s body. These medications allow the person to feel calm and less anxious. This sense of calm and stability in turn also lowers our libido. These antidepressant medications prevent our body from transmitting its message to our brains. Simply put, antidepressants lower the sex drive.
What are the Sexual Side Effects of Antidepressants?
The Use of antidepressant medications lowers the sex drive in a person, in turn making it difficult for a man to attain an erection. Some men, on the other hand, achieve an erection but have trouble maintaining an erection.
Another common side effect faced by men upon taking antidepressants is delayed or blocked orgasm. Some drugs, like Celexa, can cause a man’s sperm count to drop to nearly zero. Women also face problems like delayed lubrication, blocked orgasms, and low sex drive when they are on a course of antidepressants.
Learn How To Deal with Erectile Dysfunction in a Marriage
How to Manage Sexual Side Effects of Antidepressants?
According to various studies and reports, there is no effective treatment or cure to treat antidepressant-based sexual dysfunction. However, with proper knowledge, one can always manage its sexual side effects.
1) Lowering the dosage of antidepressants
A person should accept the fact that taking antidepressants may lower your sex drive and cause sexual dysfunctions. Ask your doctor if the dosage of your antidepressants can be reduced. However, it is always advisable to speak to your doctor first before lowering your dosage. Never adjust your dosage or not stop taking your antidepressants without talking with your doctor first.
2) Consider timing
When prescription medications decrease your libido, it might be worth a try to get intimate with your partner before taking the antidepressants. If you take antidepressants once a day, you may be able to solve the issue by taking your medicine after the time of day, you usually engage in sexual intercourse.
With this setup, the side effects may become less bothersome. However, the downside of this method is that it may or may not work for everyone. If this method works for you, then sex may seem more like a routine and become less spontaneous.
3) Reexamine your prescription
If you notice that lowering your dosage strength fails to solve your sexual issues, then try considering different brands of antidepressants to take. Consult your doctor and ask him to suggest a brand that is less likely to cause sexual side effects. On checking your wellbeing, the doctor might prescribe erectile dysfunction medications to help you attain and maintain an erection.
4) Wait and watch
A highly effective solution for managing your antidepressant-based sexual dysfunction is to wait and see if your side effects decrease. Generally, the side effects take anywhere between weeks or even months to go away.
If you are considering switching to different brand medication, make sure to keep a tab on your timeline regarding the increase and decrease of side effects. Determine whether or not the drug suits you.
5) Open up to your partner
For some individuals, the difficulty of dealing with the sexual side effects of taking antidepressants can be excruciating. These same patients often give up their medications in hopes of having better sex lives. However, what’s important to keep in mind is that every person will react differently to antidepressant medication. Going off of antidepressants means that the symptoms of your depression may return.
When deciding on a course of action, it is essential to consult with your sexual partner. Work on solutions that will address your mental health as well as both of your sexual needs. Don’t shy away from discussing with your doctor and your partner about the possible course of action to lower the sexual dysfunction.
6) Can You Take Viagra with Antidepressants?
The answer is a sweet yes! A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that men suffering from sexual dysfunction after taking antidepressants showed a positive reaction with the use of Viagra.
More than 50 percent of men taking antidepressant medications have reported a significant improvement in attaining and sustaining an erection after taking Viagra. Sildenafil citrate is an active component found in Viagra. Taking Viagra resulted in improvements in erectile function, arousal, ejaculation, orgasm, and overall sexual satisfaction.
