5 Commonly Used Medications That Could Be Killing Your Sex Drive

Contrary to popular belief, that your sex drive doesn’t just go south once you hit the big 4-0. If you’re losing your libido in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s, your medicine cabinet must be blamed, says
New York City reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Jaime Knopman, co-founder of Truly, MD. Here are the 5 common offenders. 

Antidepressants 

The most popular antidepressant drugs medications on the market include citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline are all part of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

 These drugs assist in fighting depression by raising the levels of a feel-good brain hormone, serotonin. But they can also have the effect of lowering the libido levels and making it very hard for you to reach orgasm, Knopman explained. 

Depression in itself is another known libido squasher, says Knopman. But you have to talk to your doctor about using an antidepressant drug that is not a SSRI, among them are bupropion or vilazodone. 

Women who visit the gym before enjoying some nooky report higher sex drive and better orgasms than those who do not visit the gym before sex, according to a study published in 2014 in the journal Depression Anxiety.

Birth control pills 

Many women go on the contraceptives during perimenopause to assist relieve them of the symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches etc. 

But about 1/3 of women taking oral contraceptives report problems with sexual functioning, including trouble in orgasm, reduced desire, and pains during sex, from a 2010 German study that was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. it says that; Sex shouldn’t be painful. 

Oral contraceptives “increase levels of sex-hormone-binding globulin, which drops the quantity of testosterone that is circulating freely in your blood,” He explained.

Antihistamines 

If for any reason you lose that loving feeling during seasonal allergy, you may assume it simply because of your sneezing and stuffed-up nose. The very truth of the matter is that prescription antihistamines drug might be the real culprit. 

These medications dry you out everywhere, including the vagina, says Knopman. These drugs also make you feel sleepy, so you are less likely to be in a positive mood for sex. 

The solution to this problem is actually very easy: Just take these medicines in the morning when you wake up instead of at bedtime, and if you need a second daily dose wait until after you have gotten busy to take it.

Anti-seizure meds

It is known that anticonvulsants like phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol) are great treatments for epilepsy, but it is not good for your love life. They increase levels of a hormone called prolactin, your body also pumps it out when you’re nursing to stimulate milk production, therefore, the body turns to reduces sex drive. 

These medicines also appear to reduce the levels of another hormone called DHEA, which impacts libido, too.

If you think your seizure medicines are seriously causing a problem in the bedroom, ask your doctor if only it is very safe to switch. Valproate (Depacon) has one of the lowest risks known sexual side effects since it does not effect the function and levels of prolactin or DHEA, according to a review published in the journal Pharmacy Times.   

Prescription pain meds 

According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, almost 10 percent(%) of women age 45 to 64 years take an opioid pain medication like hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), or oxycodone hydrochloride (Percocet) for over six months. 

Apart from carrying some threat for drug addiction and overdose, these medicines can derail your libido by lowering testosterone levels, explains Knopman. The best way is to avoid using them, simple. 

If you need relief for long-term pain, talk to your doctor about other options such as physical therapy, non-opioid medications, or even surgery.

SOURCE: https://goo.gl/uePJlj