If you’re experiencing a decreased sex drive, the culprit could be one of the medications you’re taking. In this article, we’ll discuss five common medications that have been known to lower libido and what you can do about it.
- Cyproterone
Well, in the case of cyproterone, this is indeed a medication for the purpose of lowering a man’s androgens.
In fact, the medicine is also called anti-androgens. The mechanism of action of this medicine involves blocking the actions of the male sex hormones, collectively called the androgens.
This medicine is a very potent treatment and is usually administered to help men with an excessive sex drive control their sexual urges.
The therapy is very effective as experts have noted that some 75% to 80% of patients would respond positively to treatment. So you may be wondering what kinds of men would need cyproterone, right?
Well, men who struggle with hypersexuality are just one type of patient for cyproterone. This condition could make day-to-day life quite difficult. Cyproterone should be administered with a doctor’s prescription.
In fact, you need to sign an agreement before you even start your treatment.
- Xanax
Xanax is a brand of medication typically used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. It is a wonderful drug in itself for its ability to level a patient’s anxiety. However, one side effect of Xanax is also erectile dysfunction.
Well, this doesn’t happen all the time but it does indeed happen. Xanax is a brand name of benzodiazepine, this prescription drug works with your neurotransmitters.
Of course, the drug needs to affect your neurotransmitters to regulate moods and excitement, but at the same time, it could lead to a decrease in libido or excitement for sexual pleasure.
Experts are still unsure how exactly benzodiazepine affects libido and erectile functions, but it is clear that there is a connection.
If you are taking Xanax and you are experiencing a lowered level of sexual performance, talk to your doctor immediately. This happens more often than you think. Your doctor may reduce your dosage.
- Antidepressants
Aside from anxiety regulator medications, antidepressants are also quite famous for causing a decrease in sexual excitement. Antidepressants have been linked a lot to erectile dysfunction as well.
As reported by Harvard University, antidepressants encompass a diverse group of medications used to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. However, one among the common side effect of antidepressants is a decrease in sexual excitement. These medications have also been frequently associated with erectile dysfunction in some cases.
And the connection between this type of drug and a loss of erection is better understood. Antidepressants work with your brain when it comes to producing serotonin. Antidepressants aim to increase serotonin in your body.
As a result of that, you feel calmer and more peaceful, so then, you don’t get easily excited or upset by things. But in the same way, you also respond very little to the excitement of sex.
As such, even when you are trying to get sex, your body may not respond well because the brain doesn’t get the signal to send blood from your heart to your penis.
If you are taking antidepressants and are experiencing sexual side effects, talk to your doctor to get a different dosage or medication.
- Steroid medications
Steroid medications are often used to treat inflammatory disorders.
Some steroid medications also seek to improve a man’s testosterone levels, but at the same time, they have this weird side effect that can instead lower your sexual functions.
According to the study reported by NPS Medicine Wise, the consistent use of steroids for treating chronic inflammatory conditions has been associated with reduced testosterone levels in men. This decrease in testosterone can lead to compromised sexual desire and contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction. It’s important to note that a loss of sex drive is just one of the side effects that may occur from taking steroids.
For one, if you are taking steroid medications, your body gradually stops relying on its own production of testosterone. You know, if there is already plenty of testosterone in your body, your testicles stop producing them.
After a while, this may even lead to a shrinkage in the size of your testicles. If this goes on long enough, you may even experience a loss of libido or sex drive. When your libido is low, your penis doesn’t get up very easily.
A loss of sex drive is just one side effect of taking steroids and this is actually quite common. However, there are ways to regulate this side effect, so if you experience this, don’t hesitate to inform your doctor.
- Cancer treatments
Cancer is a whole experience. It is not a light matter and people who have just been informed of cancer may experience a great slump in life.
At the same time, treatments for cancer are often very difficult and very expensive. When someone is under cancer treatment, sex is probably the last thing on their mind.
Plus, all the stress, sadness, anxiety and fears are all leading to a loss of excitement, as well as the desire for sex. Meanwhile, cancer treatments themselves, some forms of them, work with hormones and can disturb them a lot.
When your hormones are not in balance, it is only understandable that your libido will come to decrease. A lack of sex hormones leads to a lack of libido and can then impact your ability to have an erection or get wet.+
According to the research published by NPS Medicine Wise, chemotherapy medications primarily target cancer cells, but they can also impact other cells in the body, including those cells responsible for normal sexual function. As a result, these medications have the potential to cause sexual problems in both men and women.
Plus, cancer treatments often bring about fatigue and a general sense of tiredness, so your body will not respond well to sexual stimulation.
To summarize everything, the above mentioned five medications can easily decrease the libido of people unknowingly. Knowing about the medications beforehand can make things easier for people, and they can ask their doctors to change their medications accordingly.
How Medications Impact Libido?
Introduction
Libido, or sexual desire, is an important aspect of human sexuality and plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy intimate relationships. However, certain factors, such as medications, can greatly impact libido in women. Medications are commonly prescribed for various health conditions, and it is essential to understand their potential effects on libido. In this paper, we will discuss the impact of medications on libido in women, the potential reasons for this impact, and the steps that can be taken to manage this effect.
Impact of Medications on Libido for Women
The use of medications can significantly affect libido in women. Studies have shown that certain medications can cause a decrease in sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction in women (Panzer et al., 2016). These medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, blood pressure medications, hormonal contraceptives, and anti-seizure drugs.
Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety. However, these medications can cause a decrease in libido due to their impact on serotonin levels in the brain (Brody, 2016). Similarly, antipsychotics used for the treatment of mental disorders can also have a negative impact on libido by affecting dopamine levels in the brain (Sharma, 2016).
Hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills, can also have a significant impact on libido in women. These medications work by altering hormone levels in the body, which can lead to a decrease in sexual desire and satisfaction (Koyuncu, 2016). Additionally, anti-seizure drugs commonly used to treat epilepsy can cause a decrease in libido by affecting the production of testosterone, a hormone crucial for sexual desire in women (Mula, 2016).
Reasons for the Impact
The exact reasons for the impact of medications on libido in women are not fully understood. However, several factors may contribute to this effect. One possible reason is the alteration of hormone levels in the body. Hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone play a crucial role in sexual desire and arousal in women. Certain medications can disrupt the balance of these hormones, leading to a decrease in libido (Koyuncu, 2016).
Another reason for the impact of medications on libido is their effects on neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, play a crucial role in sexual desire and arousal. Medications that affect the levels of these neurotransmitters can lead to a decrease in libido (Brody, 2016).
Moreover, the side effects of medications can also contribute to the decrease in libido. For example, some antidepressants can cause fatigue, which can make it difficult for women to engage in sexual activity. Similarly, anti-seizure drugs can cause drowsiness, which can also affect sexual desire and satisfaction (Mula, 2016).
Managing the Impact
The impact of medications on libido in women can be managed through various strategies. The first step is to talk to a healthcare provider about any changes in sexual desire or satisfaction after starting a new medication. The doctor may recommend adjusting the dosage or switching to a different medication.
In some cases, adding therapy or counseling can help manage the impact of medications on libido. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in managing sexual side effects of antidepressants (Brody, 2016). Additionally, using alternative forms of contraception, such as non-hormonal methods, can also help alleviate the impact of hormonal contraceptives on libido.
Furthermore, lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management techniques, can also help improve libido in women (Mula, 2016). It is also crucial to maintain open communication with a partner and to explore new ways to improve intimacy and sexual satisfaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, medications can have a significant impact on libido in women. The use of certain medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, hormonal contraceptives, and anti-seizure drugs, can cause a decrease in sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. The reasons for this impact may include changes in hormone levels and neurotransmitters, as well as the side effects of medications. However, this impact can be managed through various strategies, such as adjusting medication dosage, therapy, and lifestyle changes. It is essential to discuss any changes in libido with a healthcare provider to find the most suitable solution.
