Diseases and Disorders > Erectile Dysfunction > Physical Causes >

Which Prescription Medications Are Known to Lower Your Sex Drive?

Even effective medications can wreak havoc on your libido.

A man sitting on a bed holds up a prescription drug that could cause a low sex drive.

The causes and effects of low libido are different for men and women. According to Edward Stone, MD, almost 25% of men are affected by low sex drive. Another study found that women post-menopause were twice as likely to experience low libido. Although factors in sexual arousal vary, awareness of influences on your sexual health can help anyone.

So which prescription medications are known to lower your sex drive? Let's explore.

What is low libido?

Low libido is a diminished or nonexistent sexual desire. The medical term for this is hypoactive sexual desire disorder. However, you shouldn’t be alarmed by the occasional dip in horniness. Typically, we only need to seek help for extended periods of low sexual desire.

What medications cause low sex drive?

Hormones, diet, exercise, and environment all play into sexual function. Well-nurtured mental and physical health can lead to healthy sex life.

At the same time, we may need prescribed medication for our overall health. In turn, that same medication can affect sexual health. You can find a short list of prescription drugs known to cause low sex drive below:

What else causes low libido?

For men, low testosterone levels are a common cause of sexual dysfunction. For women, the answers tend to be varied - the main ones are birth control, life stages, mental health, and relationships. Overall, low sex drive has multiple triggers. Even so, hormone levels and dopamine levels have the most notable impact on desire.

Medications that cause erectile dysfunction

Over 50% of US men experience erectile dysfunction in their lifetime. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are two common contributors. The most common prescription drugs that cause erectile dysfunction are:

Opioids: hydrocodone and oxycodone
Histamine-2 Blockers: famotidine and cimetidine
Diabetes Medications: metformin

A whole slew of prescriptions can affect your erection. Thankfully, staying informed and asking your physician about potential side effects can help manage sexual dysfunction caused by medications.

Antidepressants and horniness

Depression can make us want to crawl into bed, but usually not for sexual intercourse. Furthermore, prescription drugs for depression often have additional sexual side effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) most commonly cause sexual dysfunction. Some common sexual issues with antidepressants include:

Erectile Dysfunction
Delayed Ejaculation
Difficulty Climaxing
Decreased Sensitivity
Decreased Arousal

Antipsychotics and horniness

Antipsychotic medications help treat schizophrenia and psychosis from other mental conditions. Antipsychotic drugs interact with our dopamine receptors and can cause issues with reproductive hormones. Research is still scarce on the subject of antipsychotics and sexual side effects.

Blood pressure medication

Common high blood pressure meds with sexual side effects are beta-blockers and diuretics. Beta-blockers combat hypertension and impact the nerves responsible for blood flow. The correlation between beta blockers and erectile dysfunction has been clear to medical and scientific researchers.

Diuretics not only decrease blood flow but also decrease zinc levels. Both of these side effects can lead to a lower sex drive.

Calcium channel blockers are known to have the least sexual side effects for people with high blood pressure. In a similar vein, ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors typically don’t cause erectile dysfunction.

Diabetes meds and horniness

Mismanaged diabetes is a common cause of low interest in sex. Women may experience vaginal dryness and men might have issues maintaining an erection.

Type 2 diabetes is a common cause of erectile dysfunction in men. Type 1 diabetes is a common cause of vaginal dryness and loss of libido in women.

Metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for diabetes, can cause erectile dysfunction. Also, hair loss in men is not uncommon for those with diabetes. Hair follicle repair and hair regrowth drugs, the most notable being finasteride, can also cause low sex drive.

Could you be experiencing low libido?

Managing lack of horniness caused by medications

Low libido is common, and just about everyone will experience it at least once in their lives. Additionally, sexual complications are generally the least of our concerns when prescribed essential medications. If you want to manage the sexual side effects of your prescriptions, then consider the following tips:

Time your sexual activities: Sexual dysfunction could be less prominent before taking your medication. Accordingly, try to schedule sexual activities before you take your medications.
Take a break: Talk to your doctor about potential breaks from your prescription regimen. A small window of time without sexual side effects could be just what the doctor ordered.
Supplements and Vitamins: A vitamin D or zinc supplement could do wonders for your sex life.
Exercise: Getting the right amount of daily physical activity can be tricky. Even so, just a little exercise every day can vastly improve quality of life. The general rule is moderation and consistency.
Devices and Bedroom Additions: If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, then consider adding an erectile dysfunction device to your bedroom toolkit. Moreover, sex devices and equipment can help you and your partner explore new experiences.

What medications cause horniness?

So, are there any medications that actually cause horniness? Only one FDA-approved medication can increase libido instantly. The medication side affects include nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Thankfully, other, safer options exist to increase libido.

Increase horniness without the use of medications

Drugs that interfere with horniness are sometimes necessary for your well-being. Finding ways to work around the side effects can be tricky. Moreover, adding more prescriptions to fight the side effects of another can turn into an exhausting ordeal.

Therefore, dietary supplements and natural remedies are a more holistic alternative. While results aren’t immediate, the long-term payoffs are far more rewarding. Click here to find new ways to naturally increase your libido and start getting intimate again.

Always consult your doctor before taking vitamins or any other supplements if you are pregnant, nursing, have or suspect a medical condition, or are taking any medications.