Sexual dysfunction during antidepressant treatment.
BACKGROUND
The reported incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant medication varies from 1.9% to 92%. The majority of studies reporting incidences were not systematically conducted.


METHODS
We interviewed 60 patients (22 men and 38 women, with anxiety and mood disorders) who were being treated with various antidepressants. We used a questionnaire focused on sexual side effects and other side effects.


RESULTS
The incidence of sexual dysfunction during antidepressant use in our study is 43.3%. The sexual dysfunction was not limited to any particular diagnostic group nor to any particular antidepressant. There was no significant correlation between sexual dysfunction and anticholinergic side effects. The incidence of painful orgasm with antidepressants was 18% among males in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
The relatively high incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant treatment in this systematic study emphasizes the importance of a detailed inquiry about sexual side effects as this interferes with treatment compliance.
Balon
R
R
Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Mich.
Yeragani
V K
VK
Pohl
R
R
Ramesh
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D002997:Clomipramine; D007099:Imipramine