Lexapro Sexual Side Effects

Lexapro is known to cause impotence in men. Impotence is often defined as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Ultimately, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse. In clinical studies documenting the side effects of Lexapro, impotence occurred in up to 3 percent of men taking the medication.

 

 

Lexapro is known to cause orgasm problems in women. These problems most often include delays in orgasm or a complete inability to achieve orgasm. In clinical studies, these problems occurred in up to 6 percent of women who took the drug. They were most commonly seen in women taking Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder (6 percent). They were least common in those taking it for depression (2 percent).

 

 

Lexapro Sexual Side Effects: Suggestions

It is impossible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will develop any of these Lexapro sexual side effects. Also, it is difficult to know whether these problems are caused by the condition being treated or by Lexapro itself. This is because sexual symptoms are common with conditions that this medication is used to treat. For example, one-third of people with untreated depression report sexual side effects.

 

If you develop sexual side effects while taking Lexapro, talk with your healthcare provider. He or she can recommend treatment options. Depending on how severe these sexual side effects are, he or she may also recommend that you adjust your Lexapro dosage or try another anxiety or depression medicine.