How to Prevent and Treat Antidepressant Induced Sexual Dysfunction | Sexual Side Effects

In this video, Dr Sanil Rege explains the key strategies in the assessment, prevention and treatment of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction is a persistent change occurring in any of the stages of the sexual response cycle that causes distress to a patient.

There are 4 stages of the sexual response cycle:

1. Pleasure
2. Desire
3. Arousal
4. Orgasm

Sexual dysfunction (SD) / Sexual side effects are a known side-effect with certain antidepressants and are also associated with depression. Depression is associated with a 50-70% increased risk of sexual dysfunction, while sexual dysfunction itself increases the risk of depression by 130-200%.

In the general population, the prevalence of SD is approximately 43% in women and 31% in males. This prevalence increases to approximately 60-80% in anxiety, mood, or psychotic disorders.

Management of Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction / Sexual side effects

1. Wait and watch
2. Dose reduction
3. Augmentation
4. Drug Holidays
5. Switching Strategies