Effects of antipsychotics on sexual and endocrine function in women: implications for clinical practice.

Typical antipsychotic agents are commonly associated with hyperprolactinemia, which, in turn, leads to sexual dysfunction. The mechanism of action underlying this clinical phenomenon is mediated by the dopamine-blocking action of typical antipsychotic medications, which results in excessive prolactin secretion and secondary effects on gonadal function. This antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction is unacceptable to patients and is associated with nonadherence to medication, impacting on the overall clinical outcome and treatment success. Development of first-line atypical antipsychotic agents that do not affect prolactin production is therefore an important advance for patients requiring long-term antipsychotic therapy.