Why antidepressants decrease libido

At present, unfortunately the number of people who consume drugs such as antidepressants are more and more. There is great concern about the side effects that they can cause in the body since like all drugs are always accompanied by these. However, in the case of antidepressants, one of the most common side effects and that most worries some people is the decrease in libido.

In the case of the decrease in libido, it is one of the adverse effects that has not yet been eradicated, but ¿Why antidepressants decrease libido? In this Psychology-online article, we will explain it in detail.

1. Most frequent sexual side effects on antidepressant consumption
2. How to recover libido after antidepressants
3. Why antidepressants decrease libido?

Most frequent sexual side effects on antidepressant consumption

Taking antidepressants entails a significant change in our lifestyle, not only because of the desired effect, but for the side effects that it entails. Previously the drugs that were used to treat major depression were monoamine oxidase (IMAO) and tricyclic antidepressants, which are associated with a greater probability of developing adverse effects, being many of these effects of gravity. Over the years, new antidepressants have been incorporated, which have the advantage that their adverse effects are not as serious as the previous ones, however it is also important to take them into account since they are related to the adherence of the person to the person to treatment.

Before mentioning the effect that antidepressants have on libido, we want to show you this article on fluoxetine and its side effects the first days.

Sexual side effects on antidepressant taking They affect both men and women To the same extent. The one who affects some more and others less, depends on the body of each one, since it usually happens that some causes effects that can be considered seriously and others that barely notice the difference. Generally, people who consume antidepressants resent it, some adapt to the medication and finally this effect is relieved, others are never adapted and their problem is enlarged, each case is unique.

Side effects of antidepressants on sexuality

Next we will mention what are the sexual side effects that usually occur more frequently.

• Lack of sexual desire
• Orgasm delay
• Difficulties for Maintain the erection
• Excitation -related problems
• Experience dissatisfaction and discomfort during sexual intercourse

How to recover libido after antidepressants

When you are carrying out an antidepressant treatment and you begin to experience this type of sexual side effects, you need to immediately communicate it to your doctor to offer you the best solution according to your needs.

The doctor usually recommends in these types of situations are the following options:

• Because for antidepressants to begin to make the desired effect, it is necessary to wait several weeks, it is also necessary to wait more or less that time for The body gets used to to the new medicine and its adverse effects are increasingly decreasing.
• It usually happens on several occasions that the dose that has been administered is not adequate, so if a certain time, the antidepressant does not take effect and/or side effects as in this case the lack of sexual desire, do not disappear , the doctor can suggest modifying the dose. Discover here what fluoxetine is for: effects and recommended dose.
• A Antidepressant change It is another of the alternatives that can be chosen to counter the side effects of the same. As each person is different, that for some I go very well but for others the opposite is.

Antidepressants that do not affect sexuality

• Accompanying the treatment with another type of antidepressant can be sometimes beneficial to contrast the effects Adverse sex secondary.
• Accompany treatment with other medications specifically designed to improve sexual function. It is necessary to mention that most of these medications have demonstrated their efficiency more in men than in women.

Why antidepressants decrease libido?

So that the Effect of antidepressants And a better solution can be provided to counteract the sexual side effects linked to these, it is also important to know what is the cause of antidepressants to produce this type of effects and affect the normal sexual response of people.

Relationship between antidepressants and sexuality

The reason why antidepressants decrease libid Mesolímbico. The mesolmbic system being one of the dopaminergic pathways of the brain, is responsible for regulating dopamine and libido. It is important to comment that there is an important relationship between neurotransmitters and emotions.

Dopamine It is the neurotransmitter that is involved in the sexual desire. Selective inhitors of the reuptake of serotonin ISRS cause serotonin availability to increase, which generates a decrease in dopaminergic activity in the mesolimbic system.

Sexual desire is regulated by the Central Nervous System SNC and for the system Nervous peripheral SNP, formed by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

The SNP is the one that is responsible for regulating the spinal reflexes that are involved in the excitation and serotonin phase. When serotonin levels increase, also They alter the functioning of the autonomic nervous system So they inhibit the spinal reflex. This is the reason why antidepressants inhibit orgasm, unlike other antidepressants that do not affect serotonergic neurotransmission such as bupropion or mirtazapine that do not affect this phase.

This article is merely informative, in psychology-online we have no power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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