prime example. As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, these drugs can cause erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems in men. For women, antihistamines can cause vaginal dryness.
This is only a partial list. Other drugs that can affect a person’s sex life include oral contraceptives, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and cholesterol medications. You and your doctor should take sexual side effects seriously, but you should be able to find a way to restore sexual abilities and desires without compromising your treatment.
Taking medications is all well and good when it is being used under medical supervision and taken as prescribed. Drastic dangers, tolls to your everyday functions like having sex, and even death arise most frequently when taking medications that are not prescribed or taken excessively. Make sure to be advised about all of the possible side effects when seeking medications for care.
SOURCES:
Cleveland Clinic. Medications that affect sexual function. 2007. http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2500/2587.asp
National Cancer Institute. Pharmacological effects of supportive care medications on sexual function. August 2006. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/sexuality/HealthProfessional/page4
Llisterri LJ et al. Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan. American Journal of Medicine and Science. May 2001. 321(5): 336-341.
Fogari R and A Zoppi. Effects of antihypertensive therapy on sexual activity in hypertensive men. Current Hypertension Reports. June 2002. 4(3): 202-210.
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Variable affecting female sexual function. http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/cme/onlinecme/NYNCP/variables.cfm
Phillips RJ and JR Slaughter. Depression and sexual desire. American Family Physician. August 15, 2000. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000815/782.html
Abs R et al. Endocrine consequences of long-term intrathecal administration of opioids. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. June 2000. 85(6): 2215-2222.
Taylor MJ. Strategies for managing antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction: A review. Current Psychiatry Reports. December 2006. 8(6): 431-436.
Keller AA, et al. Serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction and its treatment: a large-scale retrospective study of 596 psychiatric outpatients. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 1997 Fall;23(3):165-75.