Are your anti-depressants ruining your sex life?

If you're someone that suffers from depression, taking steps to to treat your mental health through medication is vital. 

The change it brings can feel like you've been given a new lease on life.

But some medication comes with unwanted side-effects.

More than half of people that take anti-depressants experience problems in the bedroom.

These include low levels of sexual desire or arousal, erectile dysfunction, lack of pleasure, pain and genital sensitivity. 

Psychiatrist Dr Kevin Stoloff says this is extremely common amongst both men and women but is rarely spoken about.

He says selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the medical term for anti-depressants, is known to have sexual side-effects.

The most common SRRI is Floxetine, more commonly known as Prozac, which is often used to treat depression. 

"SRRIs were made in the late 80's -  the first one being Prozac - and they increase the amount of serotonin that circulates in the body. They work by reducing the serotonin recycle to increase mood and reduce anxiety. They are other types of classes of anti-depressants that work on different neurotransmitter systems." 
-Dr Kevin Stoloff, Psychiatrist

The fact that these medicines are not for specific receptors in the brain means they affect many serotonin receptors across the body.

"Those that affect serotonin receptors in the gut will have nausea and diarrhea. But serotonin is important in the sexual arousal and response cycle. So the fact that these medicines are not for specific receptors in the brain, they will cause all sorts of problems." 
-Dr Kevin Stoloff, Psychiatrist

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