When we think of sexual dysfunction, the general demographic we consider are older people. When you’re in your late teens to mid-twenties you’re supposed to be in your sexual prime, and the term ‘sexual dysfunction’ isn’t one that would be thrown around very often. With the prevalence of mental illness in young people and of young people taking psychiatric medications, perhaps it is a conversation we should be having.

 

With certain mental illnesses, your sex drive can increase – for example, some people with Bipolar Affective Disorder can have periods where they are hypersexual. This can lead to an increased sex drive. Although, for the most part, with illnesses such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, sex drive can be decreased.

 

There are ways to treat these mental health problems that can be just as effective or even more than medication such as certain therapies, but unfortunately, as no one needs to tell you, the resources simply aren’t there. Therefore, unfortunate as it may be, a lot of people rely solely on medications. 

 

Medications aren’t a bad thing and before these effects are fully discussed, I’m in no way advocating that they shouldn’t be used. However, these medications can have side effects that are directly linked to sexual dysfunction. For the purpose of doing the topic justice without being too long, the focus will be primarily on antidepressants, antipsychotics and benzodiazepines.

 

Antidepressants

 

The classifications of antidepressants are as follows:

 

 

• MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) 

• Tricyclic Antidepressants

• SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

• SNRIs (Selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors)

• SSNRIs (Selective Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors)

 

 

All antidepressants can cause a degree of sexual dysfunction. This can range from erectile dysfunction to difficulty achieving orgasm or no orgasm at all. Vaginal dryness and lowered libido can occur in women. Everyone can react differently to these medications, so symptoms may differ.

 

Antipsychotics

 

Antipsychotics are usually given for the treatment of psychosis, schizophrenia and the manic stages of bipolar disorder. Typical antipsychotics are the older strain of these medications and generally wouldn’t be seen as often as their counterparts, atypical antipsychotics. 

 

All of these medications can cause sexual dysfunction.

 

Benzodiazepines

 

Benzodiazepines are primarily used to treat anxiety disorders. The name is a little less self explanatory than the others and these drugs would more likely be known by some of the trade names, for example, Xanax or Valium. 

 

These drugs are a little more complicated as sometimes they can be used recreationally. However, like most of the psychiatric medications discussed above, they can also cause sexual problems.

 

So what can I do?

 

If you are on any of these medications, the first reassurance that can be given is that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is completely normal. It can be embarrassing to think that you may be the only young person affected by these issues, but they’re very common and there is a lot of literature out there to back it up. 

 

One of the important steps you can take is to discuss it with your doctor. They’re there to help and in some cases, there are additional medications that can be prescribed to combat these adverse effects. Another thing you can do is to communicate with your partner. They will understand and it can help you feel a little more understood. Sex and imtimacy is important, and you shouldn’t feel like it should have to be sidelined by something like medications.