Can Mirtazapine affect your sex drive? (3+ ways to improve it)

In this blog post, we are going to talk about the effects of Mirtazapine on your sex drive. Mirtazapine is one of the most commonly used antidepressants and it usually shows great results. 

However, it is associated with some side effects, which may affect the quality of your life. This blog will cover to what extent Mirtazapine can affect your libido and what could be done to fix this problem. 

Can Mirtazapine affect your sex drive? 

Yes, Mirtazapine can affect your sex drive, but it still does less damage than typical antidepressants. Many researchers have investigated the effects of Mirtazapine on libido because antidepressants are known for causing this side effect, especially SSRIs and SNRIs. 

After clinical trials, experts concluded that Mirtazapine can indeed cause erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasms, and loss of libido but to a lesser extent. However, there is no way to predict who will be affected by this side effect. 

Medications act differently in different individuals. We all have different physiological compositions and we can not expect to have the exact same results. 

If a med works for you, it does not mean it will work for me too. My body may not tolerate it the way your body does. This is exactly why it is not recommended to share medications without a proper prescription. 

Who is at risk of developing Mirtazapine induced sexual side effects? 

As stated earlier, Mirtazapine has a lower risk of causing sexual side effects, but it does cause them. In fact, it affects some people more than the others and it can not only decrease the sex drive, but it can also boost it in some people. 

A 2008 case study included a 51- year old woman who had been suffering from severe anxiety and depression. Her current medical treatment was not working and she did not show any signs of improvement. 

Her doctor later shifted her to Mirtazapine, after a few weeks of which, she developed sexual side effects. Her side effects were unique as instead of loss of sex drive, she experienced increase in libido and spontaneous orgasms. 

Her side effects got a little better when her body adjusted to the medication, but they kept coming back every time her dose escalated. Sexual side effects finally went away following Mirtazapine withdrawal. 

The study concluded that it was the first case in which an antidepressant acted this way and no such case has ever been reported earlier. This is the most accurate example of how Mirtazapine can cause different side effects in different individuals. 

This may be due to the fact that our bodies respond differently when they are exposed to medications. Every single one of us has a slightly different physiological composition. 

We have a different set of enzymes and these enzymes act differently when we consume meds. This is why you and I can’t be sure how a medication will work on us, unless we actually take it. 

When should you be concerned about your sexual health? 

Minor side effects are expected when you start taking Mirtazapine, but if you feel your health getting worse and worse, it indicates that Mirtazapine is not working that well for you. Some serious sexual side effects include:

In men:

• Inability to have an erection or an erection that lasts only seconds
• Loss of ejaculation, even after being engaged in sexual activites
• Premature or early ejaculation
• Pain or tightness in penis
• Painful urination
• Loss of libido 

In women:

• Loss of orgasm even after sufficient sexual activity 
• Vaginal dryness
• Unbearable pain during sexual intercourse 
• Loss of libido 
• Excessive vaginal muscle tightness that hinders penetration
• Excessive bleeding 

Immediately report to your healthcare provider if you suffer from the above mentioned side effect, other than loss of libido. Losing your desire to engage in sexual activities is common with antidepressants, but basic physiological function failure screams for medical attention. 

Make sure you properly describe what’s going wrong in order to get a proper diagnosis. Do not stop Mirtazapine abruptly. Abrupt withdrawal can cause even more damage and you will be subjected to Mirtazapine withdrawal symptoms which, trust me, are not easy to deal with. 

What to do if Mirtazapine makes you lose your sexual desire? 

There are a few things you can try on your own to counteract Mirtazapine induced loss of sexual desire. These include:

Take your Mirtazapine early in the morning 

Taking your antidepressant early in the morning can help you with your sexual side effects. According to a survey, the most common time of engaging in sexual activities is the nighttime. 

If you take your Mirtazapine earlier in the day, the sexual side effects will start to tone down as the nighttime comes and it will be easier for you to engage in sexual activity. 

And no, I don’t mean your side effect will just disappear till the night comes, but it would tone down enough to let you engage in sexual activities without much difficulty. 

Exercise 3-4 times a week

Workout is the best way to help recover from almost every type of medication induced side effects. It basically strengthens your body and makes your physiological systems stronger, including circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and immune systems. 

Make sure you workout at least 3 to 4 times a week. If you’re a beginner, there are a lot of beginner friendly workouts online that can help you build endurance. 

Once your body is used to working out, you can start taking it up a notch. There are plenty of amazing HIIT workouts that can not only help you get back in shape, but can significantly make your body healthier. 

Try to engage in interesting foreplay

A steamy foreplay may make your sexual desire to boost up a little. Several surveys have revealed that foreplay can make people more excited about the intercourse and makes the entire process much more desirable. 

It also prepares the body physically for intercourse by enhancing lubrication in females and erection in males.

Maintain a proper sleep hygiene 

A proper sleep hygiene is essential if you wish to keep your sexual functions healthy. It also boosts your energy levels and keeps you healthy. Some important points include:

• Go to bed at the same time every day, even on the weekends. 
• It is important to make sure your bedroom is always quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature to help you relax and make your sleep quality better.
• It is not recommended to use electronic devices or gadgets before going to bed. They reduce your sleep quality. Make sure you remove such devices from your room or switch them off.
• Do not eat large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime. Caffeine keeps you active by stimulating your brain cells. On the other hand, heavy foods keep your digestive system busy and you don’t feel fully relaxed. 
• Staying active is necessary. It can help relax your muscles and prepares you for sleep. It can also reduce nighttime wakefulness and enhance your sleep quality. 

Add nutritious foods to your diet 

Nutrition is another important key to a healthy body. Make sure you add good foods in your diet to help you strengthen your muscles, bones, and your basic physiological systems. There is a reason why they say you are what you eat.

If you continue to eat healthy, it will eventually become your lifestyle and will protect you from a number of diseases. It can also help you recover from medication induced side effects much earlier. 

What other medications can affect your sex drive?

Medications other than Mirtazapine that can affect your sex drive include:

• Other antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and Monoaminoxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). 
• Anti-anxiety medications like Benzodiazepines 
• Anticonvulsants like Sodium valproate, Phenytoin etc. 
• Blood pressure medications or antihypertensives, including Beta blockers, Alpha blockers, ACE inhibitors, Diuretics etc. 
• Anticholesterol agents including statins (Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin etc) 
• Birth control pills 
• Anticancer or chemotherapeutic drugs 
• Narcotic analgesics 
• Steroidal medications 

Make sure you are not using any above mentioned medication with Mirtazapine. Drug interactions should be an important consideration before taking two or more meds together. 

A medication alone may not cause a side effect that is prominent, but it can do much damage if it is combined with another medication that can cause the exact same side effect. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the effects of Mirtazapine on your sex drive. Mirtazapine is one of the most commonly used antidepressants and it usually shows great results. 

Experts concluded that Mirtazapine can indeed cause erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasms, and loss of libido but to a lesser extent. However, there is no way to predict who will be affected by this side effect. 

Medications act differently in different individuals. We all have different physiological compositions and we can not expect to have the exact same results. Make sure you use Mirtazapine properly. 

FAQs: mirtazapine sexdrive 

Can mirtazapine affect erections?

Yes, Mirtazapine can affect erections. After clinical trials, experts concluded that Mirtazapine can indeed cause erectile dysfunction, delayed orgasms, and loss of libido but to a lesser extent. However, there is no way to predict who will be affected by this side effect. Medications act differently in different individuals. We all have different physiological compositions and we can not expect to have the exact same results.

What antidepressants can increase sex drive?

Antidepressants are known to cause loss of libido, but some cases revealed increased sex drive. A 51-year old woman experienced an increase in libido and spontaneous orgasms just after a few days of taking Mirtazapine. 

How do I get my sex drive back?

• Taking your antidepressant early in the morning can help you with your sexual side effects. According to a survey, the most common time of engaging in sexual activities is the nighttime.
• Workout is the best way to help recover from almost every type of medication induced side effects. It basically strengthens your body and makes your physiological systems stronger, including circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, and immune systems.
• A steamy foreplay may make your sexual desire to boost up a little.
• A proper sleep hygiene is essential if you wish to keep your sexual functions healthy. It also boosts your energy levels and keeps you healthy.

How do you get horny on antidepressants?

You can get horny on antidepressants naturally if you shift your antidepressant early in the morning, instead of nighttime. If your sexual side effects are serious, you should report to your healthcare provider immediately. You can also take supplements to enhance your sex drive. However, do not use anything with your antidepressant without your doctor’s approval. 

What are the dangerous sexual side effects of antidepressants? 

In men:

• Inability to have an erection or an erection that lasts only seconds
• Loss of ejaculation, even after being engaged in sexual activites
• Premature or early ejaculation
• Pain or tightness in penis
• Painful urination
• Loss of libido 

In women:

• Loss of orgasm even after sufficient sexual activity 
• Vaginal dryness
• Unbearable pain during sexual intercourse 
• Loss of libido 
• Excessive vaginal muscle tightness that hinders penetration
• Excessive bleeding 

References 

• Kingshuk Lahon, Harsha M. Shetty,  and Gyaneswar Sharma – Sexual dysfunction with the use of antidepressants in a tertiary care mental health setting – a retrospective case series https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3127346/#:~:text=Mirtazapine%20has%20lower%20tendency%20to,impaired%20ejaculation%2C%20and%20priapism%20rarely.
• H. Shalev, I. Ben-Zion, A. Shiber – A case of mirtazapine-induced spontaneous orgasms in a female patient https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881107083847 
• Tips to boost your sex drive https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323918#diet 
• Medications that can affect your sex drive https://www.singlecare.com/blog/low-libido-caused-by-medication/