Nowadays, unfortunately more and more people are taking drugs such as antidepressants. There is great concern about the side effects that these can cause in the body since, like all drugs, they are always accompanied by these. However, in the case of antidepressants, one of the most common side effects that worries some people the most is a decrease in libido.
In the case of decreased libido, it is one of the adverse effects that has not yet been eradicated, but what aboutwhy antidepressants decrease libido? In this Psychology-Online article, we are going to explain it to you in detail.
Taking antidepressants involves a significant change in our lifestyle, not only because of the desired effect, but also because of the side effects that it entails. Previously the drugs that were used to treat major depression were monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants, which are associated with a greater probability of developing adverse effects, many of these effects being serious. Over the years, new antidepressants have been incorporated, which have the advantage that their adverse effects are not so serious like the previous ones, however it is also important to take them into account since they are related to the adherence of the person to the treatment.
Before mentioning the effect that antidepressants have on libido, we want to show you this article about fluoxetine and its side effects the first days.
The sexual side effects of taking antidepressants affect both men and women in equal measure. Whether they affect some people more and others less depends on the organism of each one, since it usually It happens that in some it causes effects that can be considered serious and others that barely notice the difference. Generally, people who use antidepressants resent it, some adapt to the drug and finally this effect is alleviating, others never finish adapting and each time their problem grows, each case is unique.
Side effects of antidepressants on sexuality
Next we will mention which are the sexual side effects that tend to occur more frequently.
- Lack of sexual desire
- Orgasm delay
- Difficulties for maintain erection
- Arousal-related problems
- Experiencing dissatisfaction and discomfort during sexual intercourse
When you are taking antidepressants and you start to experience these types of side effects sexually, it is necessary that you inform your doctor immediately so that he offers you the best solution according to your needs.
What the doctor usually recommends in these types of situations are the following options:
- Because for what antidepressants start to work desired, it is necessary to wait several weeks, it is also necessary to wait more or less that time so that the body gets used to it to the new medicine and likewise its adverse effects are diminishing more and more.
- It usually happens on several occasions that the dose that has been administered is not adequate, so if after a certain time, the antidepressant It does not work and / or the side effects, such as the lack of sexual desire, do not disappear, the doctor may suggest modifying the dose. Find out here what is fluoxetine for: effects and recommended dose.
- A change antidepressant It is another of the alternatives that can be chosen to counteract its side effects. As each person is different, one may go very well for some, but for others the opposite is true.
Antidepressants that do not affect sexuality
- Accompanying treatment with another type of antidepressant can sometimes be beneficial for counteract the effects adverse sexual side effects.
- Accompany the treatment with other types of medications specifically designed to improve sexual function. It is necessary to mention that most of these drugs have been shown to be more effective in men than in women.
So that the effect of antidepressants and a better solution can be provided to counteract the sexual side effects linked to these, it is also important know what causes antidepressants to produce these types of effects and affect the normal sexual response of women people.
Relationship between antidepressants and sexuality
The reason why antidepressants decrease libido is due to the action they have on some regions of the CNS central nervous system and specifically on the mesolimbic system. The mesolimbic system, being one of the brain's dopaminergic pathways, is in charge of regulating dopamine and libido. It is important to comment that there is an important relationship between neurotransmitters and emotions.
Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that is involved in the sexual desire. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs cause an increase in availability of serotonin, which generates a decrease in dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system.
Sexual desire is regulated by the central nervous system CNS and by the system peripheral nervous SNP, formed by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
The SNP is responsible for regulating the spinal reflexes that are involved in the arousal phase and serotonin. When SSRIs increase serotonin levels, too alter the functioning of the autonomic nervous system so they inhibit the spinal reflex. This is the reason why SSRI antidepressants inhibit orgasm, unlike other types of antidepressants that do not affect serotonergic neurotransmission such as bupropion or mirtazapine that do not affect this phase.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
