A possible dopaminergic mechanism in the serotonergic antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions.

The administration of antidepressant serotoninergic medication is associated with the presentation of sexual dysfunctions. This seems to be mediated by the activation of the 5-HT2 receptors. Segraves (1995) has proposed that the inhibition of noradrenergic transmission by serotonin may be the mechanism which causes the antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions. The inhibition which the 5-HT2 receptors carry out on dopaminergic transmission leads us to propose this mechanism as also participating in the antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunctions.