SEX Ask Doctor Dee Dorothy Horton, PsyD, answers your questions.
Not in the Mood? These types of meds can kill your sex life. What are the chances that the pill you, or your partner, just popped will also slay your sexual pleasure? Well, according to sexual health resources, prescription drugs can cause sexual dysfunction in men and women. Sexual dysfunction generally falls into four areas: desire, arousal, orgasm and pain disorders. A problem in any of these categories can put the kibosh on a night of intimacy for couples and throw cold water on even the most passionate romance. Often, when couples experience sexual dysfunction in their relationship, they stop short of checking each other’s medicine cabinets for the culprit. But before running to the therapist or doctor to undergo tests that might lead to more prescriptions that could possibly finish off the flickering flames of love and desire, take a look at the following list of major drug classes that can totally annihilate your sex life. Among the passion-killers are drugs used to treat high cholesterol
(statins and fibrates), blood pressure and depression. Also on the list are antipsychotics for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other major psychiatric conditions; anticonvulsants for seizures in people with epilepsy; meds to treat certain kinds of chronic pain, such as migraines and nerve problems; tranquilizers (a.k.a. benzodiazepines) used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, muscle spasms and seizures; and H2 blockers for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric and peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). What’s more, even certain overthe-counter medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can cause erectile dysfunction or problems with ejaculation. Oh yes, one more thing: When you fill a prescription, get into the habit of asking the pharmacist if the med you’re getting might just also cause sexual dysfunction.
To coax your husband into taking better care of his health, try introducing the subject in a respectful, caring way. Keep the discussion clear, simple and to the point. Many women say they don’t want to assume the role of being their men’s moms, so avoid sounding like a mother trying to get her children to do the right thing. (Translation: Don’t carp or complain about his behavior.) This is a discussion between man and wife, so let your husband know you’re concerned about him because you want your man to be in the best of health so you can enjoy each other’s company for years to come. Once you’ve established your root reason for being worried about your husband’s health, it should be much easier to make suggestions without becoming a nag, putting him on the defensive, or getting into an argument. Remember, when you want men— and people in general—to receive your message in a positive manner, your most persuasive tools are respect, timing, clear communication, simplicity and a warm approach that says you really care.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF AMERICAN MEN WHO HAVE TROUBLE ACHIEVING OR SUSTAINING AN ERECTION. Source: A New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center study published in the British Journal of Urology International, August 2011
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(MEDICATION) THINKSTOCK; (HORTON) COURTESY OF DOROTHY HORTON, PSYD
What’s the best way to persuade my husband to take better care of his health? I don’t want to become a nag.