Publication:

Use of neuro-psychiatry medicines in patients with sexual dysfunction: a retrospective study

Background The objective of the study was to understand the usage of neuro-psychiatry medicines in patients presenting with symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

Methods Medical records of adult patients consulting in the clinic out patients with symptoms of sexual dysfunction were screened for prescriptions of neuropsychiatry medicines. Common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities and prevalence of usage of medicines used for treating neuro-psychiatric disorders was calculated.

Results A total of 628 patients with sexual disorders were included of which 57 (9.1%) had received at least one neuro-psychiatry medicine at the time of presentation. Three most common sexual problems were unconsummated marriage 16 (28.1%), psychogenic ED 14 (24.6%) and organic erectile dysfunction 8 (14.0%). A total of erectile dysfunction 46 (7.3%) patients had psychiatric comorbidity. Five most common neuropsychiatric co-morbidities were anxiety 14 (30.4%), schizhophrenia 10 (21.7%), stress 7 (15.2%), depression 6 (13.0%) and epilepsy 2 (4.3%). The most commonly used neuro-psychiatry medicines were fluoxetine 15 (19.7%), risperidone 11 (14.5%), clonazepam 10 (13.2%), escitalopram 9 (11.8%), alprazolam 5 (6.6%), olanzapine 5 (6.6%) and gabapentin 4 (5.3%). Amisulpride was used in 3 (3.9%) patients whereas valproate, fluoxamine, diazepam and paroxetine were used in 2 (2.6%) patients each. Phenytoin, imipramine, carbamazepine, venlafaxine, haloperidol and sertarline were used in one patient each.

Conclusions Anxiety, schizophrenia and depression are the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with sexual dysfunction. Many patients presenting with sexual dysfunction are already on neuropsychiatry medicines. Further studies are required to evaluate the association between neuropsychiatry medicines and sexual dysfunction in Indian patients.