2025/01/01 by Souganyadevi Mahalakshmi, Barath Ramanathan, Arun Selvaraj +2 · 1 voice
Medicine · Psychology · #Sexual function and dysfunction studies #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology #Hormonal and reproductive studies
paper · doi:10.1177/26318318241306280
openalex publication_date 2025/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line pharmacotherapy used in major depression, anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Sexual dysfunctions in the form of reduced sexual desire, difficulty reaching orgasm, or inability to maintain an erection are commonly reported with SSRI use, either by the patient or by the spouse. SSRI-induced hypersexuality is very rarely reported in the literature. Sexual dysfunction predisposes loss of treatment compliance. A 25-year-old female developed intense sexual desire and compulsive masturbation with 15 mg/day of escitalopram which vanished with discontinuation of the drug. Various factors like serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and nitric oxide are implicated in the development of hypersexuality, which is both drug and group-specific. Also, the effect is dose-dependent. A high level of psychosocial stress is attached to the sexual side effects of SSRIs. Considering the sensitivity in reporting sexual symptoms, it is prudent to initiate a talk on sexual functioning with all the patients on antidepressants, especially SSRIs.