Sexual experiences in depressed patients treated with antidepressants

ABSTRACT

Sexual dysfunction is the most challenging problem when investigating patients with Major depression in whom the illness itself and the medications used in its treatment are both known to have effects on sexual function. Assess sexual dysfunction in treated versus untreated depressed patients and possible correlation with gender and severity of depression. Forty depressed patients were assessed using Arizona Sexual Experience Scale [ASEX] and Clinical and Global impression [CGI] applied to patients before introducing an antidepressant then 8 weeks after starting treatment. Patients with untreated depression had a variety of sexual dysfunctions. Decreased arousal and/or sex drive were mentioned by half of them. Orgasmic difficulties and erectile dysfunction were significantly worse after treatment. No significant difference was detected between TCA and SSRI regarding sexual dysfunction. Depression was significantly improved in females compared to males. Worse sexual experiences were more encountered by older patients