Some antidepressants can suppress libido or delay orgasm as a side effect. Libido is the desire for physical intimacy, including intercourse, kissing, and touching, while orgasm is the intense feeling of pleasure that follows ejaculation. Antidepressant medications are prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and related conditions. However, some patients may experience unwanted effects such as decreased sexual desire and delayed orgasms. This phenomenon occurs because these drugs affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the brain. Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and sexual response, while dopamine controls movement, motivation, and reward. Norepinephrine regulates arousal and attention, and epinephrine increases heart rate and blood flow. When an antidepressant drug changes the balance of these chemicals, it may result in reduced sex drive or difficulty reaching climax. Common offenders include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and tricyclic antidepressants. For instance, sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) increase levels of serotonin, which can cause low libido. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) impact both serotonin and norepinephrine, leading to reduced pleasure during sex. Trazodone (Desyrel) is a sedative that slows down physical responses, including arousal and orgasm. Antidepressants with fewer sexual side effects are available, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Patients should discuss their concerns with their doctor before taking any new medication, especially if they have existing relationship issues.
Some antidepressants can suppress libido or delay orgasm as a side effect. Libido is the desire for physical intimacy, including intercourse, kissing, and touching, while orgasm is the intense feeling of pleasure that follows ejaculation. Antidepressant medications are prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and related conditions. However, some patients may experience unwanted effects such as decreased sexual desire and delayed orgasms. This phenomenon occurs because these drugs affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the brain. Serotonin regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and sexual response, while dopamine controls movement, motivation, and reward. Norepinephrine regulates arousal and attention, and epinephrine increases heart rate and blood flow. When an antidepressant drug changes the balance of these chemicals, it may result in reduced sex drive or difficulty reaching climax. Common offenders include SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and tricyclic antidepressants. For instance, sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac) increase levels of serotonin, which can cause low libido. Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) and bupropion (Wellbutrin) impact both serotonin and norepinephrine, leading to reduced pleasure during sex. Trazodone (Desyrel) is a sedative that slows down physical responses, including arousal and orgasm. Antidepressants with fewer sexual side effects are available, such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). Patients should discuss their concerns with their doctor before taking any new medication, especially if they have existing relationship issues.