Prescription Drugs That Have A Negative Effect on Female Sexuality

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Antidepressants that activate dopaminergic (bupropion (Wellbutrin), venlafaxine(Effexor)), central noradrenic receptors (mirtazepine, bupropion, venlafaxine) and 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) A1 and 2C receptors (nefazodone (Serzone), 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:

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

All the drugs outlined below have been shown to cause erection problems in men. They are also associated with sexual dysfunction in women, including decreased libido, decreased arousal, and orgasmic disorder.