Does Trazodone Cause Sexual Side Effects

DjelicS/E+ via Getty Images

Trazodone is an oral antidepressant medication. But, it's also commonly prescribed off-label for other conditions, such as insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fibromyalgia.

It's common to wonder what side effects to expect when you're taking trazodone. But what about trazodone side effects sexually? While sexual side effects may be a concern, it may not always feel comfortable to talk about with a healthcare professional. Thankfully, GoodRx has you covered, with everything you need to know about how trazodone may affect your sex life.

Does trazodone cause sexual side effects?

Yes, it's possible for trazodone to cause sexual side effects. But these effects seem to be less common with trazodone than some other antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The reported sexual side effects with trazodone are, for the most part, different for men than they are for women.

Sexual side effects of trazodone for men

The sexual side effects of trazodone reported in men are mixed. Some men have experienced a lower libido (sex drive) while others have reported an increased libido. Other problems may include ejaculation issues, prolonged erections, and priapism.

Priapism is an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours. It can cause lasting damage to the penis if left untreated, so it's considered a medical emergency. Priapism may be more likely in people living with leukemia, multiple myeloma, or sickle cell anemia. It's also more likely if you have a condition that affects your penis, such as Peyronie's disease or penile fibrosis (thickened or scarred tissue).

Let your prescriber know your full medical history before starting trazodone to make sure it's a safe option for you. If you experience priapism, seek emergency medical care.

Sexual side effects of trazodone for women

Women may also experience sexual side effects from trazodone. As with men, results are mixed. Both increased and decreased libido are possible.Improved lubrication and clitorism are also possible.

Clitorism is similar to priapism. It's a long-lasting, painful enlargement of the clitoris. It's unclear whether clitorism can be harmful if left untreated. So it's best to seek medical care if it occurs.

Trazodone may also cause enlarged breasts and/or lactation in women. While not directly related to sexual function, these side effects may change the level of comfort or desire for sexual activity for some people.

How common are sexual side effects with trazodone?

Sexual side effects don't seem to be very common with trazodone. Most come from a few case reports. So it's unclear just how common these effects may be overall.

In initial clinical trials for trazodone, increased libido was reported by less than 2% of people. While decreased libido was reported by around 1% of people. But these same rates were also reported by people taking the placebo (pill with no medication in it). Priapism is thought to occur in less than 1% of people taking trazodone.

Overall, it seems that trazodone may be more likely to increase arousal than to lower your sex drive. In fact, there's some evidence that trazodone may be an effective option to help treat sexual issues caused by SSRIs. And low-dose trazodone has been studied as a possible treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Do sexual side effects from trazodone go away?

It's possible that certain sexual side effects of trazodone may go away with time as your body gets used to the medication. But it's unclear how likely this is.

Keep in mind that sexual issues are commonly associated with the health conditions trazodone treats. So it's possible your prescriber will want you to keep taking it for a while to see if you notice an improvement.

How can you manage sexual side effects from trazodone?

Talk with your prescriber about any sexual side effects from trazodone that are bothersome for you. It may feel uncomfortable, but they're the best person to help address the issue, since they're familiar with your medical history.

Don't stop taking trazodone on your own due to sexual side effects. Stopping trazodone abruptly may lead to withdrawal symptoms. Doing so may also leave your condition untreated, so symptoms may return. Your prescriber can make dosage changes or help you switch antidepressants safely if needed.

You may be able to help manage sexual side effects from trazodone with lifestyle changes. Alcohol can worsen sexual function, so avoiding or limiting alcohol may help. Sex therapy is also a useful option for some people.

When to seek emergency care for sexual side effects

If you are experiencing sexual side effects like clitorism or priapism, it's important not to wait or try to treat the issue on your own.

If you experience these conditions, get emergency medical care immediately to prevent possible long-term damage. Let ER staff know about the medications you're taking so they can find the best treatment option. You'll also want to follow up with your regular prescriber about potentially switching to a different antidepressant medication.

Is trazodone more or less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants?

Trazodone is generally less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressants. But the risk of priapism with trazodone (although rare overall) is considered higher than with other antidepressants.

In one study, trazodone caused less sexual dysfunction compared to sertraline (Zoloft) or fluoxetine (Prozac). And as mentioned, trazodone may even improve sexual issues caused by other antidepressants.

Still, everyone responds to medications differently. So it's possible you may experience sexual side effects from trazodone regardless of how common they are.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.