No Sex Drive? Your Medications Might Be the Cause for the 65 Plus population, seniors, boomers and beyond

Use of certain drugs, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, chemotherapy drugs, or even beta-blockers for high blood pressure can reduce your sex drive, as can excessive amounts of alcohol. Any medication that affects your nervous system might have some detrimental effects. See information at bottom of blog.

Although some medications (like antidepressants) are directly implicated in erectile dysfunction or a decrease in libido (sex drive) for women, many medications produce side effects that are simply unpleasant (like fatigue or urinary problems) and may contribute to a reduced sex drive.

 Side Effects—A Double Whammy

Medication side effects may be intensified in older adults because it’s harder for your body to break down medications as you age. Having several chronic health conditions can also make you more vulnerable to side effects. In addition, many older adults take several medications, which can compound side effects because of drug interactions.

Unpleasant medication side effects do not have to be a part of aging. Your doctor may be able to lessen some of your medications’ side effects or prescribe an alternative drug. What can be prescribed depends on the person’s unique situation.

When taking any medication, always report any changes in how you feel to your physician, even if you think certain side effects are only signs of aging and not worth mentioning.

The Culprits: Medications That Decrease Libido/Sex Drive:

Antidepressants: Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Elavil (amitriptyline)
Anticonvulsants: phenobarbital, Dilantin (phenytoin), tegretol (carbamazepine)
Anti-ulcer medications: Tagamet (cimetidine)
Beta-blockers: Tenormin (atenolol), toprol (metoprolol)
Chemotherapy drugs: Nolvadex  (tamoxifen)