Substance-induced sexual dysfunction refers to a condition in both men and women in which patients have difficulties with sexual desire, arousal, and/or orgasm due to a side effect of certain medications (legal or illicit).

This diagnosis is made based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria of a clinically significant sexual dysfunction that causes significant distress to the individual and the symptoms of which develop during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal or after exposure to a medication.

Incidence of this condition is likely underreported due to a variety of factors, including patient shame / embarrassment as well as acceptance that these side effects are an unavoidable part of treatment. It has been cited that as many as 50% of patients taking antipsychotic medications will have adverse sexual side effects, and somewhere between 25% and 80% of patients taking antidepressants may as well.

Men may complain of erectile dysfunction, premature or absent ejaculation, anorgasmia, and/or pain with intercourse. Women may complain of decreased lubrication / dryness, decreased engorgement, anorgasmia, pain with intercourse, and/or decreased libido.

See Drug Reaction Data for a list of substances.

Related topic: Drug-induced erectile dysfunction