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The Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions
- Diagnosis
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Physical Examination - Standard physical examination
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Table: Drugs and their effect on the sexual response
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Medication or Drug
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Effect on Sexual Response
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Hormones
(testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
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May be
helpful in
restoring
proper
hormonal
balance. May
impair sexual functioning if hormones predominant in one sex are administered to the other sex. (On the other hand, there is some limited evidence that testosterone is useful for some women.)
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Sedatives
(alcohol, barbiturates)
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Chronic use can lead to loss of sexual interest and ability to perform
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Non-barbiturate sedatives
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Lead to loss of sexual interest and ability to perform
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Stimulants
(amphetamines, cocaine)
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Initial use of small doses can enhance sexual performance. Chronic use leads to loss of sexual interest and ability to perform
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Heroin
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Long-term use reduces sexual motivation and capacity
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Marijuana
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Depresses testosterone levels in men. Chronic use may lead to loss of sexual interest and to breast enlargement in men
(gynecomastia)
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Antidepressants
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May bring some improvement in sexual motivation as depression lifts
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Anti-anxiety drugs
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May help in small doses, but will impair sexual functioning in high doses
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Anti-ulcer medication
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May somewhat impair sexual functioning
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Anti-allergy medication (antihistamines)
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May cause fatigue and lower sexual interest. Chronic use can lead to impairment of sexual response
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Anti-hypertension
(lowering blood pressure)
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May lower sexual interest and ability to perform
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Antibiotics
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usually no effect on sexual interest or performance
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Nicotine
(tobacco)
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Chronic use can lead to problems of tumescence (erection problems)
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Erection aids
(potency pills)
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Can be helpful with problems of tumescence (erection), but may have unwanted side-effects in some individuals. Should not be used without prior physical examination.
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Antiandrogens
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Reduce sexual interest and capacity ("chemical castration")
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