The sexual side effects of antidepressant drugs
Antidepressant drugs have many side effects, but the spotlight often falls on the sexual side effects of the medications. Studies have shown that in the US, 1 in 5 adult people battle with depression. This includes both men and women, as depression knows no gender discrimination.
Understanding how antidepressant meds might affect your sex life, can help you manage the side effects that break your sexuality down.
How do antidepressant drugs cause sexual side effects?
Antidepressant drugs raise levels of serotonin in the body, which regulate anxiety, happiness and mood. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression and anxiety, while increased levels are brought on by the medications. Increased levels bring about a feeling of calm and less anxiety, which can lower the libido.
Low libido, or a lack of sexual desire, happens because the drugs prevent the hormones that cause our bodies to respond to sex, from getting the messages to the brain.
Some ways women are affected by antidepressant meds
Every person reacts differently to side effects, no matter which medications are involved. Women taking antidepressants may generally experience a lack of desire for sex, delayed lubrication, and a difficulty to reach orgasm.
Many women claimed that both the physical and emotional effects of the antidepressant meds definitely made the idea of sex unappealing.
Personal stories
Here are experiences of 4 women aged 26 to 40 years old who have sexual issues because of antidepressant drugs.
- (Age 33) Joan has been medication since she was 19. She is on meds which help her a lot, but her libido is non-existent. She has tried to get off the medication to help improve her libido, but when the depression took over, she felt she was even more useless.
- (Age 26) Angie suffered from postnatal depression and was prescribed antidepressant meds which have worked very well. But her sex drive suffered and so did her marriage. She had to decide whether to be a happy mother and wife, or moody and depressed and enjoy sex. After stopping the meds for a while, got very depressed and started again after a few months.
- (Age 29) Julie is very much in love with her husband but feels guilty when she always makes excuses to turn him down in the bedroom. Her sex drive diminished when she was prescribed antidepressant drugs for depression. In her mind she wants to have sex, but physically she is not able to respond. This is having a negative impact on her life and that of her husband, as well as indirectly on her family.
- (Age 40) Portia has been on medication for most of her adult life, which has always affected her sex life. She has the desire to have sex, but finds it more of a chore than getting any enjoyment. Because she is in a serious relationship, and doesn’t want to ruin things, she just forces herself to get on with it, and get it over and done.
These stories all have the same things in common – low libido and lack of interest in sex due to antidepressant medication, which is not allowing them to live life to the full.
With help, this situation can definitely change for the better.
Things you can do to help
The main thing you can do to help yourself is visit your doctor to find out which are the antidepressant meds which cause the most side effects. Discuss whether you can change the brands you use, or whether you can go onto a lower dosage. Also make sure there is no possible underlying reason adding to the problems of low libido.
Changing meds, or changing the dosage, can take a while for your body to adjust before you see any improvement.
How we can help you
There are certain lifestyle practices you can employ such as regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, which may help decrease the sexual side effects of the drugs.
However, studies have shown that natural supplements also play a major role in managing the sexual side effects of antidepressant meds.
Herbal Remedies International have taken some of the most potent, natural herbal ingredients which have been scientifically proven to enhance sexual desire, and developed a formula to help combat low libido.
Our products are safe to use, have no side effects, and do not require a doctor’s prescription. These exceptional products can help you manage the sexual side effects of antidepressant medication, and help to restore your sexuality.
For more information about our excellent range of products, log onto www.herbalremedies.co.za and see how we can help you!