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Do Antidepressants Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Question: Hello,
I am writing to you regarding our previous conversation (below) about my boyfriend that suffers from Erectile Dysfunction. You suggested pills like Cialis. However, he went to his urologist to ask for a prescription and the doctor denies to prescribe such medication at so young age when the problem is only psychological. What do you think? Shall we ask a second opinion?
How to stop sexual dysfunction from antidepressants?
My bf used to have a small, not-frequent errection problem always. However after starting antidepressants his problem became worse. Now he almost never has an erection and this is slowly destroying our relationship. He is taking citalipram antidepressant and anafranil antidepressant. He used to also take akamon anholytic but he stopped it. Can he do anything to stop these symptoms? Will psychotherapy help him also?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction is unfortunately a very common side effect of antidepressants. Fortunately, there are a few different solutions here.
First, his psychiatrist could try lowering the antidepressant dose. Erectile difficulty can improve when the dose is lowered. This does of course run the risk of relapse to depression.
Second, he could add bupropion, an atypical antidepressant that has been shown to reverse SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction due to its action on dopamine receptors.
Third, and the solution I would suggest trying first, is trying a medication for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra or Cialis. These are often highly effective for antidepressant-induced erectile difficulty, and are the first thing I try for my patients.
Finally, psychotherapy can be of benefit, absolutely. A combination of Viagra plus psychotherapy would be my first suggestion for him.
Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX H. Sheppe , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Disclaimer: The Expert's advice is provided for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, as a complete assessment of an individual has not taken place. Please consult your nearest physician before acting on it. The advice is not valid for medico-legal purposes also.
Thank you XXXXXXX
Your answer was very good and helpful.
There aren't any contraindications when taking the drugs you suggested together with the anti depressants he is currently taking?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Also, i would like to know, does viagra interferes with fertility?
Of course our main aim is for him to feel normal again and be happy; but we are both 27 and we would like to have a child. I read it interferes with fertility, is there any solid evidence to support that?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
No, there are no contraindications with his current drugs.
And no, Viagra has absolutely no effect on fertility.
Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
I am writing to you regarding our previous conversation (below) about my boyfriend that suffers from Erectile Dysfunction. You suggested pills like Cialis. However, he went to his urologist to ask for a prescription and the doctor denies to prescribe such medication at so young age when the problem is only psychological. What do you think? Shall we ask a second opinion?
How to stop sexual dysfunction from antidepressants?
My bf used to have a small, not-frequent errection problem always. However after starting antidepressants his problem became worse. Now he almost never has an erection and this is slowly destroying our relationship. He is taking citalipram antidepressant and anafranil antidepressant. He used to also take akamon anholytic but he stopped it. Can he do anything to stop these symptoms? Will psychotherapy help him also?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction is unfortunately a very common side effect of antidepressants. Fortunately, there are a few different solutions here.
First, his psychiatrist could try lowering the antidepressant dose. Erectile difficulty can improve when the dose is lowered. This does of course run the risk of relapse to depression.
Second, he could add bupropion, an atypical antidepressant that has been shown to reverse SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction due to its action on dopamine receptors.
Third, and the solution I would suggest trying first, is trying a medication for erectile dysfunction such as Viagra or Cialis. These are often highly effective for antidepressant-induced erectile difficulty, and are the first thing I try for my patients.
Finally, psychotherapy can be of benefit, absolutely. A combination of Viagra plus psychotherapy would be my first suggestion for him.
Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Replied by Dr. XXXXXXX H. Sheppe , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Disclaimer: The Expert's advice is provided for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, as a complete assessment of an individual has not taken place. Please consult your nearest physician before acting on it. The advice is not valid for medico-legal purposes also.
Thank you XXXXXXX
Your answer was very good and helpful.
There aren't any contraindications when taking the drugs you suggested together with the anti depressants he is currently taking?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Also, i would like to know, does viagra interferes with fertility?
Of course our main aim is for him to feel normal again and be happy; but we are both 27 and we would like to have a child. I read it interferes with fertility, is there any solid evidence to support that?
Asked by Me , Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Doctor's reply to your question above...
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
No, there are no contraindications with his current drugs.
And no, Viagra has absolutely no effect on fertility.
Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Brief Answer:
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thank you so much for using my direct private service. I now consider you a private patient, and will do everything in my power to help you.
I would absolutely ask for a second opinion. To be completely honest with you, I think it is ridiculous that the urologist would not prescribe Viagra or Cialis for SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
Even for psychological erectile dysfunction, as he may have considering he had issues before taking the antidepressant, Viagra and Cialis can be very helpful. This is a well-known phenomenon, and I as well as all the psychiatrists I know would prescribe it to help with erectile dysfunction in someone who takes an antidepressant or who has psychological problems contributing to it. Perhaps this urologist was not familiar with this.
It may be more helpful to seek out a psychiatrist who would likely be more comfortable prescribing this medication for this reason.
Please don't hesitate to ask any followup questions you may have.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Private Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thank you so much for using my direct private service. I now consider you a private patient, and will do everything in my power to help you.
I would absolutely ask for a second opinion. To be completely honest with you, I think it is ridiculous that the urologist would not prescribe Viagra or Cialis for SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
Even for psychological erectile dysfunction, as he may have considering he had issues before taking the antidepressant, Viagra and Cialis can be very helpful. This is a well-known phenomenon, and I as well as all the psychiatrists I know would prescribe it to help with erectile dysfunction in someone who takes an antidepressant or who has psychological problems contributing to it. Perhaps this urologist was not familiar with this.
It may be more helpful to seek out a psychiatrist who would likely be more comfortable prescribing this medication for this reason.
Please don't hesitate to ask any followup questions you may have.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you very much for your answer doctor.
I agree with you for the second opinion and for the medication. Do you think this medication can be taken chronically without side effects? And, if you start it, can you ever stop it and function on your own? Or becomes addictive or something?
Btw, my fiancee's main issue is anxiety dizziness - His medication was 1 citalopram and 1 anafranil per day but because the dizziness was not completely gone the psychiatrist changed the medication to 2 Cymbalta (duloxetine) pills per day.
What do you think? I mean in relation to his sexual dysfunction issue.
I agree with you for the second opinion and for the medication. Do you think this medication can be taken chronically without side effects? And, if you start it, can you ever stop it and function on your own? Or becomes addictive or something?
Btw, my fiancee's main issue is anxiety dizziness - His medication was 1 citalopram and 1 anafranil per day but because the dizziness was not completely gone the psychiatrist changed the medication to 2 Cymbalta (duloxetine) pills per day.
What do you think? I mean in relation to his sexual dysfunction issue.
Brief Answer:
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it is safe to take it chronically without side effects. It is certainly possible to stop the medication and attempt to get better through psychotherapy. It is not addictive. Cymbalta is capable of causing or worsening sexual dysfunction just as an SSRI is, so all my advice still stands.
Dr. Sheppe
Private Followup
Detailed Answer:
Yes, it is safe to take it chronically without side effects. It is certainly possible to stop the medication and attempt to get better through psychotherapy. It is not addictive. Cymbalta is capable of causing or worsening sexual dysfunction just as an SSRI is, so all my advice still stands.
Dr. Sheppe
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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