Antidepressants Blunt Sexual Function, Feelings of Love

BERLIN ― Long-term antidepressant use may be associated with significant "emotional blunting" in both male and female patients ― but in different ways, new research suggests.

Using a newly developed Sex-Attachment-Love Test (SALT) questionnaire, the study of nearly 200 adults with mild or moderate depression showed that use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had a significantly negative impact on the feelings of love toward partners, especially in men.

Long-term use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) was significantly associated with disturbed sexual function, particularly in women.

"I think these results are quite exciting. And the most striking finding was that men were more affected by emotional side effects than women," lead author Donatella Marazziti, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pisa, Italy, toldMedscape Medical News.

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