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Sex and Depression
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Loss of sex drive is a classic symptom of depression. About 75% of depressed individuals report it.
Of the other 25%, most report no change in libido, and some experience unusually intense sex drive. But typically, people who are depressed lose their libido.
However, depressed individuals generally regret their loss of libido and miss sex. Researchers have asked depressed and nondepressed people: How important is a good sex life to you? About 70% of both groups reply: very. In other words, people who are depressed value sex, but the disease prevents them from enjoying it.
Once depression clears up, sexuality usually returns to normal.
As if loss of libido is not bad enough, many antidepressant medications aggravate this problem:
- Decreased libido: MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, tetracyclics, SSRIs
- Erection impairment: MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, tetracyclics, SSRIs
- Ejaculation impairment: MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, tetracyclics, SSRIs, Desyrel
- Orgasm loss or delay (men and women): MAO inhibitors, tricyclics, SSRIs, Effexor
Currently, the SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Celexa) are among the most widely prescribed antidepressants. They have caused sexual impairment in some 40 to 50 percent of those who use them.
On the other hand, Wellbutrin and Serzone may cause very few sex problems.
If you believe that your medication is causing sex problems, don't suffer in silence. Call your doctor and discuss this issue.
There are several ways to deal with the sexual side effects of antidepressants:
- Dose reduction. Some people experience improvement in sexual function, but no loss of mood elevation when they take a lower dose of their medication.
- Changing medication. Your doctor might change your medication from a drug with a large risk of sexual impairment to one with a small risk.
- Drug holidays. Under your physician's supervision, you might stop taking your drug from time to time for romantic weekends, for example, from Thursday to Sunday.
- Antidotes. Additional medications may be prescribed to counter sexual side effects to help produce erection in men suffering impairment due to antidepressants.
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