Does Lexapro Have Sexual Side Effects?

Mar 23, 2010 | By Elizabeth M. Wolfenden

Some people taking the antidepressant medication Lexapro will experience sexual side effects. Unfortunately, not only is it difficult to predict who will develop these symptoms, but it is also difficult to determine if the side effects are actually caused by Lexapro or if they are caused by the condition that is being treated. However, those who do experience sexual side effects while on Lexapro can talk to a doctor about adjusting the dosage or trying a different medication to reduce or eliminate these side effects.

Decreased Libido

Both men and women have experienced a decrease in sex drive while taking Lexapro. Clinical studies discussed in the medication's product information guide have shown that this side effect occurs in up to seven percent of people taking the medication to treat generalized anxiety disorder, but only three percent of people who take the medication for depression.

Problems with Ejaculation

Some men experience problems with ejaculation while taking Lexapro. In fact, this is the most common sexual side effect of the drug, occurring in 14 percent of men taking Lexapro for generalized anxiety disorder and nine percent of men taking Lexapro for depression, according to clinical studies listed in the Lexapro product information guide. These ejaculatory problems often are displayed as a delayed ejaculation, explains the popular health website eMedTV.com, but also can present as an inability to ejaculate completely.

Impotence

Impotence is generally considered the repeated inability to obtain or maintain an erection, and is one of the sexual side effects of Lexapro in men. This side effect occurred in up to three percent of men taking the medication, according to the product information guide.

Orgasm Problems

Lexapro may also cause difficulty or the complete inability to orgasm in women. Orgasm problems occurred in six percent of women taking the medication for generalized anxiety disorder, but only in two percent of the women taking the drug to treat depression, according to the medication's product information sheet.