Adverse side-effect on sexual function caused by psychotropic drugs and psychotropic substances

Unhindered sexuality plays an important role in the quality of life and this also holds true for patients with psychiatric illnesses. Knowledge concerning the complex neuronal and endocrine control mechanisms of sexual function reveals areas of possible dysfunction caused by the interactions between the control system, psychiatric drugs and addictive psychoactive substances. The differentiation of the cause of the dysfunction between being caused by the underlying illness and caused by other factors is difficult in practice. Both classical tri-cyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin uptake inhibitors can frequently cause adverse effects in multiple dimensions of sexual function. This same is true for neuroleptics, whereby the differentiation between symptoms of schizophrenia and side-effects from the medication can make an evaluation difficult. The medication-based strategy used to treat opiate dependency by administration of methadone causes sexual dysfunction in many cases. The consideration of medication-induced sexual dysfunction has a great importance with regard to compliance. Possible solutions can be modification of the medication regime, additional medication, e.g. partial antagonists and PD5 inhibitors, as well as dysfunction-specific psychotherapy and psychoeducation.