S M Smith1, V O'Keane, R Murray. 1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic drugs are associated with sexual dysfunction but the mechanisms are poorly understood. AIMS: To ascertain the frequency of sexual dysfunction in patients taking conventional antipsychotics and to determine the possible underlying mechanisms. METHOD: Sexual dysfunction was assessed in 101 patients receiving conventional antipsychotic medication, 57 normal controls and 55 controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction occurred in 45% of patients taking antipsychotic medication, 17% of normal controls and 61% of controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. Sexual dysfunction was associated with autonomic side-effects in normoprolactinaemic males, but the presence of hyperprolactinaemia overrode other causes of sexual dysfunction. For women, hyperprolactinaemia was the main cause of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional anti-psychotic medications cause significant levels of sexual dysfunction. Clinicians should routinely enquire about sexual symptoms prior to the prescription of antipsychotics and on follow-up.
BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic drugs are associated with sexual dysfunction but the mechanisms are poorly understood. AIMS: To ascertain the frequency of sexual dysfunction in patients taking conventional antipsychotics and to determine the possible underlying mechanisms. METHOD:Sexual dysfunction was assessed in 101 patients receiving conventional antipsychotic medication, 57 normal controls and 55 controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. RESULTS:Sexual dysfunction occurred in 45% of patients taking antipsychotic medication, 17% of normal controls and 61% of controls attending a sexual dysfunction clinic. Sexual dysfunction was associated with autonomic side-effects in normoprolactinaemic males, but the presence of hyperprolactinaemia overrode other causes of sexual dysfunction. For women, hyperprolactinaemia was the main cause of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional anti-psychotic medications cause significant levels of sexual dysfunction. Clinicians should routinely enquire about sexual symptoms prior to the prescription of antipsychotics and on follow-up.
Authors: Michael J Crawford; Lavanya Thana; Rachel Evans; Alexandra Carne; Lesley O'Connell; Amy Claringbold; Arunan Saravanamuthu; Rebecca Case; Jasna Munjiza; Sandra Jayacodi; Joseph G Reilly; Elizabeth Hughes; Zoe Hoare; Barbara Barrett; Verity C Leeson; Carol Paton; Patrick Keown; Sofia Pappa; Charlotte Green; Thomas Re Barnes Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2020-09 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: S Smith; D Yeomans; C J P Bushe; C Eriksson; T Harrison; R Holmes; L Mynors-Wallis; H Oatway; G Sullivan Journal: Int J Clin Pract Date: 2007-12 Impact factor: 2.503