[Management of sexual side effects of antidepressants].

Abstract

Antidepressants are associated with a high risk of sexual dysfunction. Their sexual side effects are greatly underestimated in clinical practice because they are rarely discussed spontaneously by the patient and poorly investigated by clinicians. Nonetheless, they are responsible for a decrease in quality of life as well as a decrease in treatment adherence, leading to a risk of relapse or worsening of the treated mental pathology. This is particularly problematic as antidepressants are often needed on a long-term basis and spontaneous remission of these sexual side effects is low. Prevention, investigation and handling of sexual side effects are therefore important goals in the management of patients treated with antidepressants.