How Do Antidepressants Affect Sexual Function?
It's not surprising that depression and anxiety can affect libido, but recent research has shown that some of the most popular treatments for depression and anxiety can have negative effects on sexual function as well. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants used by doctors to treat depression by increasing available serotonin levels.
Recent research estimates that sexual side effects could be present in between 41% and 83% of patients taking SSRI antidepressants.
Although they can be very effective for treating depression, SSRIs can cause various symptoms of sexual dysfunction. The most common symptoms include inability to reaching orgasm, difficulty becoming aroused and diminished libido. Initial research found that side effects like these occurred in less than 10% of patients. However, since this research relied on patients volunteering information, the frequency was most likely underestimated. More recent research estimates that sexual side effects could be present in between 41% and 83% of patients.
Many believe that these sexual side effects are the result of a reduction in dopamine caused by SSRI. Dopamine is an important part of the brain's pleasure and reward system providing positive reinforcement for certain activities such as eating and having sex.
Sexual side effects often reduce or disappear when SSRI use is discontinued. However, this is often impractical since depression and anxiety treatment is usually a long term process.
But there is a way to enhance sexual function and pleasure even if you are taking antidepressants. Lyriana increases blood flow to the vaginal tissues to heighten stimulation so you can quickly become aroused and reach orgasm much more easily.
