How To Manage Sexual Side Effects of Prescription Medications

Many medications come with sexual side effects. Some common sexual side effects of medication can include inability to get aroused, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, and difficulty reaching orgasm. Sexual side effects can be temporary or long term, mild or severe. In most cases, sexual side effects last only a few weeks and then go away on their own. If they do not, try some of the tips below.

Tips on how to manage sexual side effects of prescription medications.

• Research different medications and their sexual side effects on your own. Many pharmaceuticals have web sites that offer detailed information about the medicines they sale. If you are uncomfortable talking with your doctor about the sexual side effects your medications may have on you, try finding information about your medicine on the pharmaceutical's web site.
• Be honest with your doctor about your concerns regarding sexual side effects. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. Most doctors will not talk about sexuality or concerns with sex unless you bring it up.
• Take the lowest dose that will treat your illness. If your side effects are interfering with your sex life, ask your doctor to lower the dosage. Most doctors will work with you to find the right dose that is effective but has minimal impact on your sexuality.
• Try different medications. Talk with your doctor about trying different medications that may have fewer sexual side effects. This won't work in every situation. However, there are some medications that can be switched and have fewer sexual side effects. For example the SSRI class of anti-depressants have several sexual side effects. Many people find that Wellbutrin, a different class of anti-depressant, comes with fewer negative sexual side effects.

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