Prescription Drugs That Have A
Negative Effect on Female Sexuality
Drugs That Cause Sexual Dysfunction
|
| Drug |
Mechanism |
Impact |
| Oral
contraceptive pills |
Reduced
testosterone production |
Decreased
desire |
| Increased
sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) |
| SSRIs
(Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) |
Activate
5-hydroxytriptamine |
Inhibit
arousal |
| Delay
or absence of orgasm |
| SERMs
(Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) |
Act
as antiestrogen |
Increase
vaginal dryness |
| Phytoestrogens |
| Estrogen |
| Increase
dyspareunia (painful or difficult intercourse) |
| Spironolactone |
| Steroids |
| Codeine
containing analgesics (pain killers) |
Acts
as antiandrogens |
Decrease
desire |
| Chronic
alcohol abuse |
| B-blockers
(beta-blockers) |
Antiadrenergic
effects |
Impair
lubrication |
| Tricyclic
antidepressants |
Anticholinergic
effects |
Impair
lubrication |
| Monoamine
oxidase inhibitors |
| Antipsychotics |
Anticholinergic
effects |
Impair
lubrication |
| Dopamine
blocking effects |
Impair
arousal and orgasm |
| Cyproterone
acetate |
Act
as antiandrogen |
Decreased
desire |
| Medroxyprogesterone |
| Citalopram |
Increase
prolactin |
Decrease
desire |
| Paroxetine |
Antidepressants that activate dopaminergic (bupropion,
venlafaxine), central
noradrenic receptors (mirtazepine, bupropion, venlafaxine) and
5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) A1 and 2C receptors (nefazodone, mirtazepine) may
augment sexual response. Those that activate other 5-HT receptors, prolactin and
gamma-aminobutyric acid reduce sexual response."
Source: Vaginal Anatomy and Physiology
by Sohail A. Siddique, MD (J Pelvic Med Surg 2003;9:263-272)
Antihypertensive
agents:
HealthyPlace.com Audio
Psychiatry, Psychotropics and Female Sexuality
Psychiatric illnesses that affect sexual functioning and managing sexual
side-effects of psychiatric medications. Assistant Clinical Professor,
Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine. From the 2002 Women's
Sexual Health Conference.
Listen with
Real Playerr. |
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|
Aldomet (alpha-methyldopa): Used to treat high blood pressure results in
decreased libido and impaiblack sexual arousal in 10 to 15% of women who use it
in low dosages, and up to 50% of women who use it in high dosages. Many of the
drugs used to treat high blood pressure
impair sexual function in women. There
are numerous drugs available to treat this illness, a woman may need to try
several different ones, or combinations, to find one that doesn't affect her
sexuality adversely. Source:
Masters and Johnson on Sex and Human Loving
page 520.
"Traditional blood pressure lowering medications, like reserpine and
guanethidine, often cause sexual dysfunction in men, along with dizziness and
depression, and for this reason many doctors have moved away from them.
Beta-blockers marketed under the names Inderal, Lopressor, Corgard, Blocadren,
and Tenormin have fewer side effects, but many people who take them still
complain of sexual dysfunction. In recent years calcium channel blockers,
marketed as Adalat, Procardia, Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, Cardizem, Dilacor XR,
and Tiazac have become more popular, in part because they have less effect on
sexual function." Source: For Women Only by Jennifer Berman, M.D.,
and Laura Berman, PH.D.. Pages 89, 91
continue
Last updated: 10/05
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