Sexual Side Effects

For many people, sexual dysfunctions as side effects of medicines come as an unpleasant surprise.

"Unfortunately, some doctors just don't tell patients about the most common drug side effects. Other doctors believe that if you tell patients they'll have a sex problem, you may create it or have them looking for it," says Dr. Adam Keller Ashton, clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry at the State University of New York at Buffalo and a member of the Society of Sex Therapy and Research.

Taking a drug that diminishes your sexual functioning does not mean the end of your sex life. There are many treatments that can alleviate sexual side effects. If you suspect that a drug you are taking is affecting your sexuality, the first step is to consult your doctor and your pharmacist.

Most people are greatly relieved when they discover that the drug is the problem and not themselves, reports Dr. Jay Dudley Chapman, a gynecologist in Cleveland, Ohio and Academic Dean of the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco. If your doctor is not open to discussing the problem with you, Chapman advises finding one who will.

High Blood Pressure Medicines

High blood pressure medicines can have a negative impact on sexual arousal by reducing the force of blood flow, which helps men to get erections and women to become lubricated.

The following guide lists some prescription high blood pressure medicines and their sexual side effects.

Chlorothiazide (Diuril) and Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, HCTZ) : These medicines can cause men to have difficulty getting erections, but have little effect in women.

Clonidine (Catapres) : This drug can block emissions during orgasm.

Propranolol (Indera) : This medicine may make it difficult to ejaculate.

Methyldopa (Aldomet) : This medicine decreases sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. It is a strong drug that acts on the beta nerves which are involved in sexual arousal, but it is used less today than in the past.

The first approach is usually to switch to a different drug or lowering the dosage. Another possibility is to stop taking the drug for a specified period, like a weekend, when you plan to have sex (a "drug holiday"). (Note: This should never be tried without consulting your doctor.)

Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—Popular drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil) may reduce desire and orgastic response in both men and women.

Tricyclic Antidepressants—These drugs, including older drugs such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and Imipramine can have effects on sexual functioning.

MAO Inhibitors—Drugs like tranylcypromine (Parnate) or phenelzine (Nardil) may make orgasm more difficult for women.

For some people, feeling better emotionally via pharmacologic means makes up for any sexual problems caused by antidepressants. However, others stop taking these medicines because of the sexual effects.

The treatment options are similar to those for high blood pressure medicines. You can switch to a different antidepressant like bupropion (Wellbutrin), which has fewer sexual side effects; reduce the dosage; or try drug holidays. Unfortunately a different medicine may not alleviate the depression as well. Also drug holidays from antidepressants can be dangerous so talk to your doctor before trying this. Again, talk to your doctor about drug antidotes for antidepressants. Unlike antihypertensives, most people do not need to take antidepressants for their entire lives. Once they stop taking the drugs, their sexual functioning returns to normal.

Other Medicines

Tranquilizers like diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) can increase the sexual desires of inhibited people, but, as with other sedatives such as drugs and alcohol, they can also delay arousal and orgasm. Judy Seifer finds that many of her patients who take a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medicines at the same time experience changes in sexual functioning. She works with their doctors to pinpoint the "problem" drugs.

Psychological Effects

For most people, a sudden change in sexual responsiveness has at least some emotional impact.

Dr. Ashton has had patients whose prior sexual problems surface during discussions of sexual side effects. Some people on antidepressants become depressed again over their lack of sexual fulfillment. Sexual difficulties can be a blow to a person's self-esteem. It can be a great loss for a man not to be able to have an erection or a woman to become aroused. As a result, sex with their partners can become so uncomfortable that the couples often end up withdrawing from the relationship.

Consider using a variety of sex therapy techniques to communicate feelings with your partner and reconnect with one another. These include nonsexual touching exercises like massage that help partners to experience physical pleasure together once again. Many people find new ways to enhance their sexual satisfaction.