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Exposure to serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors or serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and sexual dysfunction: Results from an online survey (2021)

Int J Risk Saf Med. 2021;32(3):229-242. doi: 10.3233/JRS-200074.

Exposure to serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors or serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and sexual dysfunction: Results from an online survey

Arianna Patacchini 1, Fiammetta Cosci 1 2 3

Affiliations

  • 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
  • 2Clinical Pharmacopsychology Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
  • 3Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.


Abstract

Background: Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is characterized by sexual and emotional symptoms associated to the exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) or Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI).

Objective: The present study provides a comprehensive picture on demographic and clinical characteristics associated to PSSD.

Methods: An online survey was run on subjects self-declaring as affected by PSSD. The survey collected socio-demographic and clinical data via questions created ad hoc and three standardized scales (Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, World Health Organization Wellbeing Index).

Results: A total of 135 subjects (115 males; mean age 31.9 ± 8.9 years) was analysed. The syndrome was more represented among young, heterosexual males after the exposure to SSRI/SNRI at relatively high doses. The major findings involved the temporal sequence of symptoms: 118 subjects had symptoms both during and after SSRI/SNRI administration, and 17 only after, thus deposing for a iatrogenic action of SSRI/SNRI. Different variables, represented by both emotional and sexual symptoms, accounted for the variability of the severity of the sexual dysfunction as well as of wellbeing.

Conclusions: Based on the present results, PSSD is a complex iatrogenic syndrome in need of being further studied and understood.

Keywords: PSSD; SNRI; SSRI; Sexual dysfunction; discontinuation.