Female Sexual Side Effects Associated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: A Descriptive Clinical Study of 33 Patients

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winston W. Shen ◽  
Jeffrey H. Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Female Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Spontaneous Remission ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Sexual Side Effects

Objective: After the advent of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on the U.S. market in 1988, American psychiatrists have been faced with more choices of antidepressants for the treatment of depression. The prescribing of SSRIs has been increasing in popularity because they are easily titrated by the physicians and tolerated by patients. However, the SSRI use is frequently associated with female sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to describe these SSRI-associated female sexual side effects. Methods: In a retrospective series, clinic records of 110 female SSRI-treated outpatients were reviewed for loss of or decreased libido, orgasmic disturbances (anorgasmia or delayed orgasm), as well as clinical management patterns to alleviate sexual side effects. Results: Twenty-one fluoxetine-, nine paroxetine-, and five sertraline-treated cases with female sexual inhibition were identified. The fates of SSRI-associated sexual adverse effects and clinical managements of restoring these side effects were described. Conclusions: With some limitations in interpreting the data, the findings of this study suggest that SSRI-associated female sexual dysfunction occurs at a higher rate than we previously thought, equal potentials in implicating female sexual side effects among three SSRIs, and the absence or the low incidence of female sexual adverse effects from bupropion, and that these side effects can be managed by waiting for a spontaneous remission, dosage reduction of SSRIs, substitution with bupropion and other antidepressants, or the use of an antidote.

scholarly journals Sexual dysfunction in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and potential solutions: A narrative literature review

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Jing ◽  
Kristyn Straw-Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sexual Side Effects

Abstract Sexual dysfunction is an underdiscussed adverse effect to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and may increase the risk for discontinuation and nonadherence to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. Given the prevalence of depression, health care providers should educate patients about SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction in order to promote patient awareness and medication adherence. This study evaluated primary literature from 1997 to 2015 to identify SSRI-related sexual side effects, therapeutic alternatives, and treatment strategies. The results indicate that paroxetine is associated with the greatest rate of sexual dysfunction among the SSRIs. Potential alternatives to SSRI treatment include bupropion, mirtazapine, vilazodone, vortioxetine, and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In the event that a subject responds solely to SSRIs but experiences unwanted sexual side effects, bupropion may be added as an adjunctive medication. Some limited evidence also suggests that saffron may reduce some aspects of sexual dysfunction, excluding ability to reach orgasm.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) as a Treatment for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Case Report

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai-Lin Huang ◽  
Shih-Jen Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a menstruous dysfunction, is characterized by profoundly depressed mood, and studies have shown that antidepressants are effective for PMDD. The authors describe a case of PMDD who was initially treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Due to intolerable gastrointestinal side effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, St. John's wort (900 mg/day) was substituted and much improvement in PMDD symptoms was noted for at least five-month follow-up. The authors propose that St. John's wort could be an alternative medication for PMDD, especially for patients experiencing intolerable side effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Discontinuing or Switching Selective Serotonin-Reuptake Inhibitors

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A Bull ◽  
Enid M Hunkeler ◽  
Janelle Y Lee ◽  
Clayton R Rowland ◽  
Todd E Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Early Discontinuation ◽  
Telephone Surveys ◽  
Recurrent Case ◽  
Frequent Reason

OBJECTIVE: To describe reasons for discontinuing or switching selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) at 3 and 6 months after starting treatment, and to identify information provided to patients that may help prevent premature discontinuation of medication. METHODS: Telephone surveys were conducted at 3 and 6 months after patients (n = 672) were started on an SSRI for a new or recurrent case of depression. RESULTS: Significantly more patients discontinued or switched their SSRI because of an adverse effect within the first 3 months of starting (43%) compared with the second 3 months (27%; p = 0.023). The adverse effect most frequently reported as the reason for early discontinuation or switching was drowsiness/fatigue (10.2%), followed by anxiety, headache, and nausea — All at just over 5%. The odds ratio for discontinuation was 61% less in patients who recalled being told to take the medication for at least 6 months compared with those who did not (OR 0.39; p < 0.001). Patients who recalled being informed of potential adverse effects increased their reported incidence of mild to moderate adverse effects by 55% (OR 1.55; p < 0.05) without affecting rates of premature discontinuation (OR 1.06; p = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: Adverse effects are the most frequent reason for discontinuing or switching SSRIs within the first 3 months of treatment. Patients are more likely to continue taking their antidepressant if they fully understand how long to take the medication. Informing patients of potential adverse effects does not appear to prevent premature discontinuation, but may increase the patient's awareness and reporting of mild to moderate adverse effects.

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