Taking Antidepressants Harms Intimacy: Why?

It is not for nothing that they say that one medicine heals, and the other cripples. This is the case with the use of antidepressants. They relieve a person of emotional experiences, thereby depriving him of the opportunity to fully enjoy intimate life.

The content of the article

• 1 List of side effects
• 2 Ways to revive sex drive

When antidepressants were first introduced (in the 1950s), patients and healthcare professionals noticed that treating depression had serious sexual implications. These drugs had unpleasant side effects that made many choose the lesser of two evils.

Fortunately, the time has come when a new class of drugs was released - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). They had a minimal list of side effects, which was received with enthusiasm and hope for a life of depression and sex. But before these drugs were invented, people had to go through a wave of suffering and disappointment. And even now, about 70% of people taking a class of new generation antidepressants complain of loss of sensitivity in sex and lack of libido.

List of side effectsi

Among the side effects that occur when taking antidepressants are the following:

• Decreased libido;
• Decreased sensitivity of the genitals;
• Delayed or no orgasm.

Moreover, these side effects apply to both women and men. The reasons for this reaction of the body are not fully understood. One theory is that SSRIs affect nitric oxide, which plays a primary role in sexual arousal.

Experts find this question difficult because it is difficult to determine whether sexual impotence is caused by medication or depression itself. But depression can cause a lack of interest in sex, however, it does not cause physical difficulties in getting an orgasm or achieving ejaculation. This suggests that antidepressants play a negative role in sexuality.

Ways to revive sex drive2

You are not from the category of people who will accept any reality and put up with it? Then fight! There are several ways to overcome sexual apathy and rekindle your love for sex.

Try changing your treatment first. Ask your doctor to prescribe other, more gentle drugs. Depression certainly needs to be treated, and giving up on medication is foolish. But changing the treatment strategy is the best solution.

Since anti-depression drugs interfere with lubrication, you need to use a third-party water-based lubricant. It will make sex more comfortable. And, of course, do not forget to devote more time to foreplay - they help to overcome the delay in physical reaction.

Whatever you do, it's important to communicate with your partner. Side effects are normal and the person who loves you will tolerate them and will not find them embarrassing. According to psychologists, people who discuss antidepressant-related problems with their partner while remaining sexually active are less likely to allow temporary problems to become permanent.

After all, pleasure can be obtained in other ways as well. Psychologist, Amanda Lorenz from Texas, believes that exercise can fix problems with sex. Inside the lab, she and her team found that twenty minutes of exercise before sex helped many women redouble their attraction to a partner.

Use these methods, but in no case refuse to take antidepressants on a personal whim. Depression is a serious medical condition that requires immediate treatment.