Some of the most commonly prescribed medications to treat depression are belong to a group of drugs referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications work by increasing the levels of a neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain.
Unfortunately, serotonin has been found to have a negative impact on sexual arousal, desire, and orgasm, and many of the medications themselves--including Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil-- commonly come with sexual dysfunction side effects, including:
- Decreased libido in men and women
- Erectile difficulties in men
- Inability to ejaculate
- Delayed or completely absent orgasms in men and women
Some physicians (and researchers) have examined the use of medications designed to enhance sexual performance (such as Viagra) in combination with SSRIs. While this might be a solution for you, it is probably a good first step to talk with your doctor and see if there are other possibilities before adding a new medication.
Other antidepressant medications that don’t belong to the SSRI family may have fewer sexual side effects. One study found that Wellbutrin, for example, has significantly fewer sexual side effects. The study was funded by the makers of Wellbutrin, although it's generally accepted amongst medical professionals that the drug has no significant sexual side effects. The drug may not, however, treat the same spectrum of mental health conditions as SSRIs--particularly primary anxiety disorders. Remeron, another antidepressant, also carries little in the way of sexual side effects.
In addition to trying to change the medication you are on, there are other ways to manage the sex effects of medication.