5 things you must know about sexual health and medication

Did you know that taking certain medications can sometimes influence your sexual health? If your sexuality has always been a source of joy and fulfillment and, suddenly, it is no longer the case, speak to your Brunet pharmacist. He or she is always there to help you, no matter what kind of concern you have. In the meantime, here are some useful bits of information on the subject.

5 things you must know about sexual health and medication

1

Medication can provoke different kinds of side effects.

Taking certain medications can affect a person sexually in several ways. The most commonly observed side effects are a decrease in desire or libido, difficulty getting sexually aroused, erection problems, a reduction in vaginal lubrication and an incapacity to achieve orgasm.

2

Several types of medication may be responsible for that.

When you think about medication that may impact sexual heath, antidepressants are most often given as an example. A large proportion of people undergoing this kind of treatment will experience sexually related side effects at one time or another. That being said, other than antidepressants, many kinds of medication are known to cause undesirable sexually related side effects. This can be the case, for example, with medication used to treat the following illnesses: hypertension, anxiety, mental disorders, hormonal disorders, pain and cancer.

3

The sexually related side effects caused by medication are temporary.

It is never pleasant to feel the side effects related to the use of a certain medication, especially when it affects one’s sex life! However, it is important to remember that these side effects are temporary and usually disappear at the end of the medical treatment. However, stopping the medication is not always the ideal solution. Before coming to any kind of decision, speak to your Brunet pharmacist, who will explain the different options available to you.

4

Medication is not always responsible for sexual difficulties.

There are a great many, sometimes complex, causes for sexual difficulties. Some illnesses can cause sexual difficulties, namely diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, hormonal disorders, neurological disorders, depression and other mental illnesses. Consequently, if you are suffering from one of these conditions, your sexual difficulties might be linked more to the illness itself than to the medication you are taking to treat it. Your pharmacist or doctor can help you figure it out. Preventing or treating an illness can contribute to reduce the effects it can have on your sex life. Some life stages, such as pregnancy or menopause, can also be responsible for changes in your sex life.

5

There are solutions to sexual difficulties.

People are often too embarrassed to talk about their sexual difficulties. However, no matter what the cause (medication-related or other), there are solutions. Speaking openly with a health care professional can help you solve the problem. If the problem is caused by one of your medications, you could consider modifying the dosage, replacing the medication with another that does not cause undesirable side effects, taking another medication to counteract the problem (a medication to treat erectile dysfunction, for example) or use an alternative non-medicinal measure (such as a vaginal lubricant if you have trouble with lubrication).

Nowadays, health care professionals have the necessary tools to help their patients surmount all kinds of difficulties, including those that are related to their sex life. Do not hesitate to ask for help. If the idea of addressing such a topic at the pharmacy embarrasses you, ask to meet with your pharmacist in his or her consultation office. Your pharmacist will be able to listen to you, answer your questions and give you advice confidentially.

Advice from your Brunet pharmacist

You have a sexual problem and you think it might be caused by one of your medications? Here is some advice:

  • Never modify the dosage or frequency of your medication and don’t stop taking it without having first discussed the matter with your pharmacist or doctor;
  • Do not consume alcohol or drugs. Contrary to popular belief, these substances do not help boost your sexual capacities. Actually, they do the exact opposite. They can, among other things, compromise your ability to have or maintain an erection and your capacity to reach an orgasm;
  • Adopt healthy life habits. Sleep well, eat well, don’t smoke, and exercise regularly to help prevent certain chronic illnesses and maintain yourself in a healthy state. Being healthy overall will help you preserve a healthy sex life.

For women or men, it is easier to be happy when all aspects of your life are going well. If your sexuality is causing you concerns and you don’t understand why things have changed, find the answers to your questions. Don’t let shyness prevent you from achieving a wonderful and more satisfying sex life.

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5 things you must know about sexual health and medication

Did you know that taking certain medications can sometimes influence your sexual health? If your sexuality has always been a source of joy and fulfillment and, suddenly, it is no longer the case, speak to your Brunet pharmacist. He or she is always there to help you, no matter what kind of concern you have. In the meantime, here are some useful bits of information on the subject.
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