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“Doctor This Medication Atrophy My Testicles“: a Clinical Case of Sexual Dysfunction and Antipsychotic Medication.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

P. Alves
Affiliation:
Departamento de psiquiatria e saúde mental, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Ponte da Barca, Portugal
L. Quintela
Affiliation:
Departamento de psiquiatria e saúde mental, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
A. Fonte
Affiliation:
Departamento de psiquiatria e saúde mental, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Abstract

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Introduction

Living with a psychotic illness, it is now possible, in particular thanksto advances in psychopharmacology, and the discovery ofantipsychotic medications. However, even when the patient is stable and free from psychotic symptoms, new challenges arise including control of the medications sides effects. Sexualdysfunction is particularlycommon and can be very troublesome when the patientwant to resume a normal life.

Objective

The aim of this paper is to present a case ofsexual dysfunction induced by antipsychotics, and to briefly review the literature on the subject.

Methodology

We followed-up a 44 years patient withdiagnosis of schizophrenia, and who developed sexual dysfunction secondary toantipsychotic medication. Through Pubmed / Medline we conducted a briefliterature review on the topic using the keywords: “rantipsychotics” and “sexual dysfunction”.

Results

This case demonstrated the importance for the patient of sexual side effects, which manifested itself with several antipsychotics including risperidone, quetiapine, olanzapine, and paliperidone. We can only solved symptoms of sexual dysfunction with aripiprazolein monotherapy.

Discussion

Sexual function is a determinant of the quality of life aspect of psychoticpatients. The literature reviewshowed that all antipsychotics have the potential to negatively affect sexual function. However, some antipsychotics as aripripazoland ziprasidone are associatedwith lower degrees of sexualdysfunction. Some strategies fordealing with these side effectsare dose reduction, thereplacement for another antipsychotic, the association of aripiprazol, and the association ofan adjunctive therapy to sexuality.

Type
Article: 1768
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
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