Medications and sexual function.
There seems to be a reluctance to self-report sexual dysfunction during clinical interviews. The rate of reported sexual dysfunction increases when information is sought aggressively in the clinical interview. The relationship to a specific therapeutic agent, however, can be clouded by the patient's perception and coexisting morbidity. Most of the data relating sexual dysfunction to specific drugs are anecdotal. The strongest proof of a casual effect is improvement in sexual function after withdrawal of the medication. Most of the adverse sexual effects of commonly used medications can be predicted from a simplified understanding of the human sexual response and physiologic mediators. Alternative therapeutic agents can be substituted by understanding these physiologic mechanisms and a careful clinical interview. Although polypharmacy is a problem for older persons, in some cases sildenafil can be used to correct drug-induced impotence.
Thomas
David R
DR
Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced*