Sexual side effects of SSRI medications: potential treatment strategies for SSRI-induced female sexual dysfunction.
Depression often coexists with sexual dysfunction, and the medical treatment of depression can further worsen sexual symptoms or cause de novo sexual dysfunction in a person who did not experience it prior to treatment. There are many drugs that can adversely affect sexual response. Among antidepressants, this effect is commonly observed with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Various strategies for the treatment of SSRI-related sexual dysfunction have been studied, including: awaiting spontaneous remission of sexual dysfunction; reducing the dose of medication; taking a "drug holiday"; adding another drug to help reverse sexual symptoms; changing antidepressants; or initially starting with a different antidepressant that is known to have fewer or no sexual side effects. Overall, it is important to address sexual health when caring for a patient--to improve drug compliance and the patient's well being.
Kanaly
Kym A
KA
Department of Urology, Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 515, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. kkanaly@mednet.ucla.edu
Berman
Jennifer R
JR
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors