Pharmacopsychiatry 2004; 37(3): 127-130
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-818991
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Spontaneous Remission of SSRI-induced Orgasm Delay

E. M. Haberfellner1 , H. Rittmannsberger2
  • 1Psychiatrist in private practice, Linz, Austria
  • 2Landesnervenklinik Wagner-Jauregg, Linz, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 13.11.2002 Revised: 24.1.2003

Accepted: 30.4.2003

Publication Date:
12 May 2004 (online)

Background: Orgasm delay is a common side effect of SSRIs, causing negative influence on patients’ compliance and quality of life. A possible strategy for the management of SSRI-induced orgasm delay is waiting for tolerance to develop. The authors studied the natural course of SSRI-induced orgasm delay over a period of 6 months.
Methods: One hundred eight patients having been started on SSRIs were included in an open, naturalistic study. Sexual dysfunction was assessed at monthly intervals using a structured interview.
Results: Twenty-six patients developed clinically relevant SSRI-induced orgasm delay. Eight patients (30.8 %) reported complete remission of sexual dysfunction, while four patients (15.4 %) noted a marked improvement. Four patients (15.4 %) continued to describe severe orgasm delay at the end of the observation period. High severity of orgasm delay significantly correlated with lack of remission.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients, especially those with mild to moderate orgasm delay, develop tolerance within 6 months.

References

  • 1 Ashton A K, Rosen R C. Accommodation to SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.  J Sex Marital Ther. 1998;  24 191-192
  • 2 Buchberger R, Wagner W. Fluvoxamine: Safety profile in extensive post-marketing surveillance.  Pharmacopsychiatry. 2002;  35 101-108
  • 3 Croft H, Settle E J r, Houser T, Batey S R, Donahue R M, Asher J A. A placebo-controlled comparison of the antidepressant efficacy and effects on sexual functioning of sustained-release bupropion and sertraline.  Clin Ther. 1999;  21 643-658
  • 4 Demyttenaere K, De Fruyt J, Sienaert P. Psychotropics and sexuality.  Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1998;  13 (suppl 6) 35-41
  • 5 Herman J B, Brotman A W, Pollack M H, Falk W E, Biederman J, Rosenbaum J F. Fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction.  J Clin Psychiatr. 1990;  51 25-27
  • 6 Kavoussi R J, Segraves R T, Hughes A R, Asher J A, Johnston J A. Double blind comparison of bupropion sustained release and sertraline in depressed outpatients.  J Clin Psychiatr. 1997;  58 532-7
  • 7 Labbate L A, Grimes J B, Arana G W. Serotonin reuptake antidepressant effects on sexual function in patients with anxiety disorders.  Biol Psychiatr. 1998;  43 904-907
  • 8 Lane R M. A critical review of selective serotonin inhibitor-related sexual dysfunction; incidence, possible aetiology and implications for management.  J Psychopharmacol. 1997;  11(1) 72-82
  • 9 Michael A, Andrews S. Paroxetine-induced vaginal anaesthesia.  Pharmacopsychiatry. 2002;  35 101-108
  • 10 Michelson D, Bancroft J, Targum S, Yongman K, Tepner R. Female sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant administration: a randomized, placebo-controlled study of pharmacologic intervention.  Am J Psychiatr. 2000;  157 239-243
  • 11 Moller H J, Berzewski H, Eckmann F, Ganzalves N, Kissling W, Knorr W, Ressler P. et al . Double-blind multicenter study of paroxetine and amitriptyline in depressed inpatients.  Pharmacopsychiatry. 1993;  26 (3) 75-78
  • 12 Montejo-Gonzales A L, Llorca G, Izquierdo J A, Ledesma A, Bousono M. SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction: fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine in a prospective, multicenter, and descriptive clinical study of 344 patients.  J Sex Marital Ther. 1997;  23 176-194
  • 13 Montejo-Gonzales A L, Llorca G, Izquierdo J A, Rico-Villademoros F. Incidence of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant agents: a prospective multicenter study of 1022 outpatients.  J Clin Psychiatr. 2001;  62 (suppl. 3) 10-21
  • 14 Reimherr F W, Chouinard G, Cohn C K. et al . Antidepressant efficacy of sertraline: a double-blind, placebo- and amitryptiline-controlled, multicenter comparison study in outpatients with major depression.  J Clin Psychiatr. 1990;  51 : 12 (suppl B) 18-27
  • 15 Rosen R C, Lane R M, Menza M. Effects of SSRIs on sexual function: a critical review.  J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1999;  19 67-85
  • 16 Shen W W, Sata L S. Inhibited female orgasm resulting from psychotropic drugs - a five year, updated, clinical review.  J Reprod Med. 1990;  35 (1) 11-14
  • 17 Waldinger M D, Olivier B. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction: clinical and research considerations.  Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1998;  13 (suppl. 6) 27-33
  • 18 Zajecka J, Mitchell S, Fawcett J. Treatment-emergent changes in sexual function with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as measured with the Rush Sexual Inventory.  Psychopharmacol Bull. 1997;  33 (4) 755-760
  • 19 Zajecka J. Strategies for the treatment of antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction.  J Clin Psychiatr. 2001;  62 (suppl 3) 35-43

Dr. MD Egon Michael Haberfellner

Hauptstraße 83-85

A-4040 LINZ

AUSTRIA

Phone: 0043/732/736293

Fax: 0043/732/716511-22

Email: e.m.haberfellner@aon.at