Medical professionals are issuing a warning regarding the use of antidepressants, as they can have severe repercussions on sexual health, leading to lasting complications such as complete genital numbness, loss of libido, and an inability to respond to sexual stimuli.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a commonly prescribed type of antidepressant, have been identified as culprits in causing a condition known as post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), which extinguishes sexual desire. Similarly, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), along with certain older antidepressant medications called tricyclics, can produce similar adverse effects.
While SSRIs are a specific class of antidepressants that target serotonin reuptake, other drugs acting on serotonin in the brain can also result in these side effects.
Individuals with PSSD often face the challenge of their lack of libido being misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals as a relapse of depressive symptoms, as many of them have previously taken antidepressants to address mental disorders like anxiety and depression. However, PSSD can also affect those who have used antidepressants for more overtly physical conditions.
Although sexual side effects of antidepressants have been well-documented, recent research indicates that these problems may persist even after discontinuing the medication, potentially leading to irreversible sexual dysfunction.
In 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) mandated that warnings about this risk be included on packages of SSRIs and SNRIs. Similar pressure is being exerted on regulators worldwide.
Prominent symptoms of PSSD encompass genital numbness, an inability to achieve orgasm or experiencing pleasureless orgasms, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, and diminished sex drive. Affected individuals also report emotional "blunting," whereby they are unable to experience positive or negative emotions.
Medical professionals are actively seeking a cure for this condition. Joanna Moncrieff, a professor of critical and social psychiatry at University College London, explains, "The exact reasons why drugs that interfere with the brain chemical serotonin impair individuals' sexuality remain unknown. However, this is why antidepressants have been tested for premature ejaculation and are administered to reduce the sex drive of sex offenders."
Moncrieff further expresses concern, stating, "There is growing apprehension about the risk of PSSD among young people, given the rising number of antidepressant prescriptions for teenagers. Antidepressants are often considered relatively harmless, but they actually alter our brain chemistry in ways that we do not fully comprehend, which is particularly worrisome for adolescents undergoing puberty."
The consensus among healthcare professionals is that patients currently taking antidepressants should be informed about the research demonstrating the potential for persistent sexual dysfunction and should be assisted in discontinuing their use.
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