title: Persistent sexual dysfunction after early exposure to SSRIs: Systematic review of animal studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual dysfunction is a common adverse effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and there is a concern that the sexual harms might persist after discontinuation of therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether the use of SSRIs in animals can lead to persistent sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review of animal studies measuring sexual behaviour after end of treatment with SSRIs or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed and EMBASE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We included 14 studies. The general quality of the studies was poor. Only four studies reported use of randomisation and none mentioned allocation concealment. All studies used placebo and were therefore blinded. For rats exposed to SSRIs compared with those exposed to placebo, we found a higher risk of no mounting behaviour (RR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.62-0.86), no intromission behaviour (RR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.60-0.92) and no ejaculation behaviour (RR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.24-1.00).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed substantial and lasting effects on sexual behaviour in rats after exposure to an SSRI early in life on important sexual outcomes.
authors.forename: Anders Lykkemark
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: Pia Brandt
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Danborg
authors.forename: Peter Christian
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gøtzsche
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); animal studies; long lasting harm; permanent sexual dysfunction; systematic review