When you take a pill to help with depression, high blood pressure, or even acne, you might not expect it to affect your sex life. But sexual side effects, unwanted changes in desire, arousal, or performance caused by medications. Also known as drug-induced sexual dysfunction, they’re far more common than most people admit. These aren’t just inconvenient—they can damage relationships, lower self-esteem, and make you feel like you’re losing control of your own body.
Many of the drugs we take daily—like SSRIs, a class of antidepressants often prescribed for anxiety and depression—can reduce libido, delay orgasm, or make erections harder to get. NSAIDs, common painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen, may lower testosterone over time. Even medications for heart conditions or prostate issues can play a role. It’s not always the active ingredient either—sometimes it’s how the drug interacts with your hormones, nerves, or blood flow. Studies show up to 70% of people on certain antidepressants report sexual side effects, and many never tell their doctor because they’re embarrassed.
But here’s the good news: these side effects aren’t always permanent, and they’re not always unavoidable. Switching meds, adjusting the dose, or adding a simple supplement can often help. Some people find relief by timing their dose differently, or using non-pharmaceutical approaches like therapy or lifestyle changes. The key is knowing what’s possible and speaking up—because your doctor can’t fix what they don’t know is broken.
Below, you’ll find real, practical breakdowns of the most common drugs linked to sexual side effects, what they do to your body, and what alternatives actually work. No fluff. No jargon. Just clear info from people who’ve been there—and the science behind what helps.
Published on Nov 20
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Many common medications cause sexual side effects like low libido, erectile dysfunction, and orgasm problems. Learn which drugs are most likely to cause these issues and what you can do about them.