Drugs and Low Libido (Part 2)

Two weeks in the past on the SexHealthMatters weblog, we mentioned three sorts of medicine that may lower an individual’s intercourse drive: antidepressants, contraception drugs, and finasteride (a drug that may deal with an enlarged prostate or male-pattern hair loss.)

We’d prefer to proceed that dialog right now with some extra examples of libido-lowering drugs. When you take one in every of these medicine and really feel your intercourse drive isn’t as sturdy because it was once, speak to your physician. Generally, all it takes is a change within the medicine or the dosage. (Don’t make medicine adjustments by yourself, nevertheless. Some drug regimens must be adjusted progressively. Remember to comply with your physician’s directions.)

It’s additionally necessary to do not forget that dips in intercourse drive can produce other causes. Your medicine will not be totally accountable. Hormonal adjustments, stress, fatigue, and nervousness can all intrude along with your libido. Your physician can assess your signs and provide help to decide whether or not your issues stem from medicine or from one thing else.

Now, let’s take a quick take a look at another drugs – apart from antidepressants, contraception drugs, and finasteride – that may decrease libido:

• Opioids. These pain-killing medicine, which embrace hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and codeine, have been discovered to decrease testosterone ranges in males. (Testosterone is a hormone liable for intercourse drive in each women and men.) Opioids might be short-acting or long-acting. Quick-acting opioids launch medicine rapidly and long-acting opioids take extra time. Whereas each varieties can decrease testosterone, this impact is extra widespread within the long-acting selection. (Click on right here to study extra.) Opioids can have an effect on libido in ladies, too.
• Antipsychotics. These drugs could also be used to deal with psychological well being situations like schizophrenia and bipolar dysfunction. Older types of antipsychotics have been related to low intercourse drive. Luckily, newer varieties that don’t have an effect on libido as a lot are actually out there.
• Hypertension drugs. Hypertension itself can decrease intercourse drive for each women and men. Nevertheless, generally drugs used to deal with it don’t assist. For instance, diuretics (water drugs) can decrease ranges of zinc within the physique. Zinc is required for testosterone manufacturing. Beta-blockers can decease testosterone ranges in addition to make an individual really feel too “out of it” for intercourse.
• Benzodiazepines. Generally referred to as “tranquilizers,” benzodiazepines could also be prescribed for nervousness, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, or panic assaults. They’ll make an individual too sedated to have a lot curiosity in intercourse. They’re additionally thought to impair the manufacturing of testosterone.

Please be aware that whereas our two posts on libido-lowering medicine cowl many widespread examples, different medicine can also have this impact. And it’s potential for medicine to produce other sexual uncomfortable side effects, akin to erection issues for males and vaginal lubrication difficulties for ladies.

It’s tough to know the way a drugs will have an effect on you. While you begin with a brand new drug, make sure you learn the detailed leaflet that comes within the bundle. This leaflet can reply a lot of your questions on uncomfortable side effects. Your physician or pharmacist also can deal with your issues, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Your Flip

Have you ever ever taken a drug that decreased your intercourse drive? What did you do? Be at liberty to depart a remark and share your story.

Assets

AARP

Neel, Jr., Armon B., MD

“7 Meds That Can Wreck Your Intercourse Life”

(April 25, 2012)

http://www.aarp.org/well being/drugs-supplements/info-04-2012/medications-that-can-cause-sexual-dysfunction.1.html

Health.com

Gardner, Amanda

 “Low Libido? 11 Medicine That Have an effect on Your Intercourse Drive”

http://www.well being.com/well being/gallery/0,,20788030_1,00.html

Isaacs, Nora

“What to Do When Ache Treatment Is Dulling Your Intercourse Life”

(Final up to date: April 9, 2008)

http://www.well being.com/well being/condition-article/0,,20189376,00.html

HealthCentral.com

“Are You Depressed, Taking Antidepressants and Dropping Your Libido? What You Can Do About It”

(March 2, 2009)

http://www.healthcentral.com/melancholy/c/84292/61557/antidepressants/

HealthDay

Woolston, Chris, MS

“Medicines and Intercourse: Not At all times a Good Combine”

(Final up to date: March 11, 2014)

http://shopper.healthday.com/encyclopedia/drug-center-16/misc-drugs-news-218/medicines-and-sex-not-always-a-good-mix-646268.html

Worldwide Society for Sexual Medication

“What drugs would possibly decrease an individual’s libido?”

http://www.issm.information/education-for-all/sexual-health-qa/what-medications-might-lower-a-persons-libido/

Mayo Clinic

“Beta blockers”

(February 1, 2014)

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/beta-blockers/art-20044522

“Hypertension and intercourse: Overcome the challenges”

(December 7, 2012)

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure-and-sex/art-20044209

Medical Information Right this moment

“What Are Benzodiazepines? What Are The Dangers Of Benzodiazepines?”

(July 4, 2013)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262809.php

Nationwide Institute of Mental Health

“Mental Health Medicines”

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/well being/publications/mental-health-medications/index.shtml

Sexual Medication Society of North America

“Opioids and Low Testosterone”

https://www.sexhealthmatters.org/did-you-know/opioids-and-low-testosterone