Psych Medication Induced Sexual Dysfunction

It's the ultimate insult to mental illness injury

• Treatment emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) can lead to patient distress or their partner’s distress.

• Clinicians need to consider one’s full psychosexual history before starting medication.

• When adverse sexual side effects occur, viable options to alleviate symptoms may include scheduling sexual activity and vibratory stimulation.

Toby Keith once said, “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m good once as I ever was.” It’s also pillow talk for many people on psych meds.

Treatment emergent sexual dysfunction (TESD) is more stigmatized than mental illness itself. This is why so few patients report it, resulting in an underestimation of its numbers in clinical practice. Moreover, clinicians rarely ask patients about their sexual activity due to a lack of time, preparation, or interest. But given the statistics, it’s essential to consider one’s full psychosexual history before starting medication.
For a quiet majority, it’s “Netflix and pill.”
Psych Medication Induced Sexual Dysfunction