Gender difference in antidepressant-related sexual dysfunction in Taiwan

Objective: Sexual dysfunction accompanied by depression may be altered by antidepressants. The effects of antidepressants on sexual dysfunction among males and females remain to be investigated. Methods: Three groups of subjects, drug-free patients with depression (N= 125), medicated patients with depression (N= 145) and healthy volunteers (N= 255), were recruited. A Chinese version of the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire was employed to assess sexual function as the primary outcome. Results: Drug-free depressed females and medicated depressed males had more sexual dysfunction than healthy controls. The desire for sexual behaviors among healthy females and medicated depressed females was higher than that of drug-free depressed females. Conclusion: Depression and antidepressants may have different impacts on the sexual function of males and females.