Sexual dysfunction during antidepressant treatment.

BACKGROUND

The reported incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant medication varies from 1.9% to 92%. The majority of studies reporting incidences were not systematically conducted.

METHOD: We interviewed 60 patients (22 men and 38 women, with anxiety and mood disorders) who were being treated with various antidepressants. We used a questionnaire focused on sexual side effects and other side effects.

RESULTS

The incidence of sexual dysfunction during antidepressant use in our study is 43.3%. The sexual dysfunction was not limited to any particular diagnostic group nor to any particular antidepressant. There was no significant correlation between sexual dysfunction and anticholinergic side effects. The incidence of painful orgasm with antidepressants was 18% among males in our study.

CONCLUSION

The relatively high incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant treatment in this systematic study emphasizes the importance of a detailed inquiry about sexual side effects as this interferes with treatment compliance.