Antidepressants: Antidepressants, sexuality and pregnancy

^{From: Understanding psychiatric medications: Antidepressants - Information for consumers, families and friends (© 2009 CAMH)}

Will antidepressants affect my sex drive and function?

Both depression and the drugs used to treat it can decrease people’s desire for sex. Antidepressants, especially those that increase serotonin activity, can also negatively affect sexual function. Sexual side-effects of antidepressants can include delayed ejaculation and the inability to experience an orgasm.

Many factors affect your sexuality. When antidepressants bring relief from the distress of depression or anxiety, this may help you to focus more on your partner and to feel more desire. If you think your medication affects your sexual function, your doctor may be able to help by changing your dose, switching medication or adding other medications.

Is it safe to take antidepressants while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Each woman’s situation is unique and should be discussed with her doctor. For any pregnant woman with a history of depression, the question of whether to take antidepressants during pregnancy usually comes down to a risk-benefit analysis. Depression can affect prenatal care and a mother’s ability to parent her newborn child. When treatment with an antidepressant helps to avoid a relapse or to reduce distress, the benefits of continuing the medication may outweigh the risks.

Antidepressants are relatively safe to use during pregnancy. When they are used close to delivery, newborns may be restless and irritable, and may have sleeping, feeding and breathing difficulties. These problems resolve within three days to two weeks.

The amount of antidepressant passed through breast milk is very small and is not considered to be a risk to the baby, especially when weighed against the benefits of breastfeeding.

If you decide to stop taking medications during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, it is a good idea to see your doctor more often, to help you monitor for a return of symptoms.

Contents

• Introduction
• Do I need treatment?
• What do antidepressants do?
• Side-effects
• Types of antidepressants
• Starting and stopping antidepressants
• Antidepressants, other drugs and driving
• Antidepressants, sexuality and pregnancy
• Is age an issue?
• Where can I get more information about antidepressants?
• How can I find treatment or a support group?

• Print
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