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Antidepressant's Hidden Cost: Sex Life Suffers
15 Dec
Summary
- Antidepressant users report significant sexual dysfunction and reduced libido.
- Emma Parsons-Reid takes medication to cope with severe anxiety and loss.
- Experts say sexual side effects are common but often not openly discussed.
A woman named Emma Parsons-Reid has shared her experience of managing severe anxiety with antidepressants, acknowledging a significant trade-off: a dampening of sexual sensation. She began waking at 3 am gripped by terror due to overwhelming life stressors, including caring for a mother with dementia and a husband with stage-4 cancer. Antidepressants, while providing necessary relief, have led to a notable decrease in her sexual drive and pleasure.
Parsons-Reid's situation highlights a widespread issue, with new research indicating that over half of antidepressant users experience sexual dysfunction. Approximately 4.6 million adults in England are estimated to be affected by reduced sexual desire due to their medication. This side effect, though common, remains a sensitive and often undiscussed topic among patients, their families, and even healthcare professionals.
Experts, including Dr. Anand Patel, confirm that while antidepressants boost mood by increasing serotonin, this can also slow arousal and reward systems, leading to sexual side effects. However, they stress that these issues are typically temporary and manageable through dose adjustments, medication changes, or therapy. Open communication with doctors is encouraged to find solutions and ensure overall wellbeing, emphasizing that lifestyle changes and therapy can also aid in managing these effects.
