Sexual Dysfunction among Males using Antidepressants

Amjad  Hakro; Muhammad Iqbal Afridi; Muhammad Ilyas Jat; Fawad Suleman Roonjho; Washdev  Washdev; Anil Kumar  Wadhwani

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.946

Amjad Hakro Senior Registrar, Department of Medicine & Allied, Al-Tibri Medical College, Isra University, Karachi Campus Pakistan
Muhammad Iqbal Afridi Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi Pakistan
Muhammad Ilyas Jat Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan
Fawad Suleman Roonjho Consultant Psychiatrist, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi Pakistan
Washdev Washdev Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan
Anil Kumar Wadhwani Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.946

Keywords: Sexual dysfunction, Depression, Antidepressants, Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder, Erectile disorder, Premature (early) ejaculation, Delayed ejaculation

Abstract

Background: Depressed patients often have difficulties in sexual function including loss of sexual interest, and disturbance of sexual arousal or orgasm. Sexual dysfunction (SD) is an important underestimated adverse effect of antidepressant drugs. Objective: To determine the frequency of sexual dysfunction affecting depressed male patients using antidepressants. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional. Settings: The study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, J.P.M.C, Karachi, Pakistan; a tertiary care public hospital. Duration: Six months after approval of synopsis from 31st January 2017 to 31st July 2017. Methods: All consecutive patients who visited the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, JPMC, and on antidepressant treatment were included in the study. A semi-structured proforma was used to assess the patient’s particulars and the outcome variables (i.e. types of sexual dysfunctions; impaired desire, erectile disorder, premature ejaculation, and delayed ejaculation. Results: Total of 294 patients the mean ± SD of age was 35.69±7.174 years. Positive sexual dysfunction was found in 141 (48%) patients while 153 (52%) patients were diagnosed as normal. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is commonly presented in depressed male patients and there is a need to screen all antidepressant users for sexual dysfunction.