Antidepressants and Low Libido: What You Need to Know

If you suffer from depression, your doctor may have prescribed a prescription antidepressant to help relieve some of the sadness, lack of energy, and sleep problems commonly associated with the experience of depression. Although antidepressants can improve your mental outlook and increase motivation and energy, one of the frustrating side effects is a low libido. In fact, antidepressants are one of the most common medication related causes of loss of sexual interest and low libido.

Not only can antidepressants cause low libido, they can also make it difficult to maintain an erection and reach orgasm in many cases. This can be a source of frustration for couples and, in some cases, can wreck havoc on a couple’s sex life. Is there anything that can be done about the problem of low libido associated with the use of antidepressants?

One option that may help to restore sexual function and raise libido is to switch the type of antidepressant taken. Most antidepressants that fall into the class of SSRI’s, such as Prozac and Zoloft, which have a pronounced libido lowering effect. A possible solution is to ask your doctor to switch your antidepressant to Wellbutrin which is known to be free of this side effect. In fact, some patients who take Wellbutrin actually experience an increased interest in sex. The biggest drawback to the use of Wellbutrin is that it can elevate your risk of experiencing a seizure. For this reason, you should always tell your doctor if you have a history of a prior head injury or seizure disorder.

One study showed that women who experienced a low libido with use of antidepressants could get relief from the use of Viagra. In this particular study, women were asked to take either Viagra or a placebo prior to sexual activity. The women taking the Viagra reported an increased ability to reach orgasm as well as a more satisfying sexual experience. Viagra seems to positively affect sexual function by increasing blood flow to the sexual organs.

A final option to treat a low libido associated with antidepressant use is to ask your doctor about a “drug holiday”. This is where you would be taken off the antidepressant for a few days at a time to restore your low libido. If done for short periods of time, this doesn’t seem to adversely affect the action of the antidepressant, but may give a boost to your libido. This should always be done under the care of a doctor, never on your own.

There are ways to handle the problem of low libido associated with treatment of depression. Ask your doctor which option would be right for you.