Depression and sexual desire

Am Fam Physician. 2000 Aug 15;62(4):782-6.

Abstract

Decreased libido disproportionately affects patients with depression. The relationship between depression and decreased libido may be blurred, but treating one condition frequently improves the other. Medications used to treat depression may decrease libido and sexual function. Frequently, patients do not volunteer problems related to sexuality, and physicians rarely ask about such problems. Asking a depressed patient about libido and sexual function and tailoring treatment to minimize adverse effects on sexual function can significantly increase treatment compliance and improve the quality of the patient's life.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Decision Trees
  • Depression / complications*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Depression / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Libido* / drug effects
  • Male
  • Medical History Taking
  • Patient Compliance / psychology
  • Quality of Life
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / etiology*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / psychology*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / therapy

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors