Health Articles

Many drugs adversely affect sexuality (see TABLES 68—1 and 68-2). Some interfere with the autonomic nervous system, which is involved in the sexual response. Others affect mood and alertness or change the production or action of sex hormones. Assessing the effects of drugs on sexuality is more difficult in women than in men, since potency problems in men are more obvious. However, drugs that affect men may also affect women, and further studies in women are warranted.
A patient who suspects that medications are the cause of sexual problems may be tempted to discontinue the drugs or decrease the doses without informing the physician. The possibility of adverse drug effects on sexual function should be discussed openly with patients, who should be encouraged to report any side effects.
Although the effects of specific drugs on sexuality are outlined in TABLES 68-1 and 68-2, some drugs deserve special mention. Antipsychotics, such as thioridazine and other phenothiazines, may inhibit erection or ejaculation, even though the capacity for erection remains. Tranquilizers can depress the sexual responses of women and men, and some antidepressants can inhibit sexual desire.
Antihypertensive drugs are the most common pharmacologic cause of impaired erection. Cardiac drugs that are often implicated in erectile dysfunction include those with peripheral or central actions of sympatholytic or β-adrenergic blocking activity. Those that have less of an effect on sexual function include calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and peripheral vasodilators. Methyldopa reduces blood flow to the pelvic area, thereby inhibiting erection. When certain antiarrhythmic drugs and β-blockers cannot be avoided and sexual dysfunction results, patients may benefit from encouragement to explore other forms of intimacy and physical pleasure.
The excessive use of alcohol is a common yet seldom considered factor in sexual problems; although it may stimulate desire, alcohol inhibits performance. Up to 80% of men who drink heavily experience such effects as impotence, sterility, and loss of sexual desire. Alcohol with its depressant action can also affect a woman’s sexual desire. Many of the effects of moderate to heavy drinking are reversible if the drinking is stopped in time. Since alcohol tolerance decreases with age, smaller and smaller amounts may produce negative effects. People who choose to drink regularly should avoid drinking for several hours before sexual activity and should limit themselves to 1,5 oz of hard liquor, 6 oz of wine, or 16 oz of beer in any 24-h period.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 3:53 am and is filed under Sexuality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Many drugs adversely affect sexuality (see TABLES 68—1 and 68-2). Some interfere with the autonomic nervous system, which is involved in the sexual response. Others affect mood and alertness or change the production or action of sex hormones. Assessing the effects of drugs on sexuality is more difficult in women than in men, since potency problems in men are more obvious. However, drugs that affect men may also affect women, and further studies in women are warranted.
A patient who suspects that medications are the cause of sexual problems may be tempted to discontinue the drugs or decrease the doses without informing the physician. The possibility of adverse drug effects on sexual function should be discussed openly with patients, who should be encouraged to report any side effects.
Although the effects of specific drugs on sexuality are outlined in TABLES 68-1 and 68-2, some drugs deserve special mention. Antipsychotics, such as thioridazine and other phenothiazines, may inhibit erection or ejaculation, even though the capacity for erection remains. Tranquilizers can depress the sexual responses of women and men, and some antidepressants can inhibit sexual desire.
Antihypertensive drugs are the most common pharmacologic cause of impaired erection. Cardiac drugs that are often implicated in erectile dysfunction include those with peripheral or central actions of sympatholytic or β-adrenergic blocking activity. Those that have less of an effect on sexual function include calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and peripheral vasodilators. Methyldopa reduces blood flow to the pelvic area, thereby inhibiting erection. When certain antiarrhythmic drugs and β-blockers cannot be avoided and sexual dysfunction results, patients may benefit from encouragement to explore other forms of intimacy and physical pleasure.
The excessive use of alcohol is a common yet seldom considered factor in sexual problems; although it may stimulate desire, alcohol inhibits performance. Up to 80% of men who drink heavily experience such effects as impotence, sterility, and loss of sexual desire. Alcohol with its depressant action can also affect a woman’s sexual desire. Many of the effects of moderate to heavy drinking are reversible if the drinking is stopped in time. Since alcohol tolerance decreases with age, smaller and smaller amounts may produce negative effects. People who choose to drink regularly should avoid drinking for several hours before sexual activity and should limit themselves to 1,5 oz of hard liquor, 6 oz of wine, or 16 oz of beer in any 24-h period.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 3:53 am and is filed under Sexuality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.