title: Efficacy of acupuncture treatment of sexual dysfunction secondary to antidepressants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are known to cause secondary sexual dysfunction with prevalence rates as high as 50%-90%. Emerging research is establishing that acupuncture may be an effective treatment modality for sexual dysfunction including impotence, loss of libido, and an inability to orgasm.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the potential benefits of acupuncture in the management of sexual dysfunction secondary to SSRIs and SNRIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Practitioners at the START Clinic referred participants experiencing adverse sexual events from their antidepressant medication for acupuncture treatment at the Mood and Anxiety Disorders, a tertiary care mood and anxiety disorder clinic in Toronto.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants received a Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and followed an acupuncture protocol for 12 consecutive weeks. The acupuncture points used were Kidney 3, Governing Vessel 4, Urinary Bladder 23, with Heart 7 and Pericardium 6. Participants also completed a questionnaire package on a weekly basis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaire package consisted of self-report measures assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and various aspects of sexual function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement among male participants was noted in all areas of sexual functioning, as well as in both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Female participants reported a significant improvement in libido and lubrication and a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in several other areas of function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests a potential role for acupuncture in the treatment of the sexual side-effects of SSRIs and SNRIs as well for a potential benefit of integrating medical and complementary and alternative practitioners.
authors.affiliation: 1 START Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
authors.forename: Baljit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khamba
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aucoin
authors.forename: Millie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lytle
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vermani
authors.forename: Anabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tsirgielis
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Ambrosio
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Katzman
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors