The Patients Experiences of Antidepressant Medications Effect to Sexual Health: A Literature Review
Leikas, Anna (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504085961
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202504085961
Tiivistelmä
Background: In the field of nursing, the work includes facing various patients with individualized needs. It is likely that problems regarding mental health, including adverse effects caused by the treatment, are encountered at some point of a nurses career. Antidepressants are the most commonly used medication in treating a mental health disorder. Even as high as 70% of antidepressant consumers report experiencing adverse effects regarding their sexual health. In diagnosing a sexual dysfunction, the patients experiences of the symptoms are in great importance. The symptoms of sexual dysfunctions can be sorted as gender specific or as generic.
Aim & Purpose: The aim of the research was to explore the patients experiences of antidepressants effect on sexual health. The purpose of the study was to create awareness on the antidepressants effect on the consumers sexual health, and to improve professional competence in holistic nursing care.
Methodology: The study was conducted by using the literature review methodology. The data was collected from CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed health care databases. A total of 5 (N = 5) articles were selected, published between 2000-2024, were included in the text. The data was analyzed using the content analysis tool for qualitative studies.
Findings: The patients experiences of antidepressant medications effect on sexual health were categorized into three main categories: Physical effects; sexual dysfunction and addressing the symptoms, emotional effect; validation, self-esteem, and quality of life, and social effects; stigma and relationship.
Conclusion: Antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction can be interpreted to have a holistic effect on the patient. Contextualizing the sexual dysfunction as part of an overall approach demands more focus in healthcare, in order to improve the management and treatment of these adverse effects and thus, increase the treatment compliance. Due to limited data on the subject, the study does not provide extensive conclusion on the patients experiences of antidepressants effect on sexual health. The evidence presented in the study indicate a clear need for further research.
Aim & Purpose: The aim of the research was to explore the patients experiences of antidepressants effect on sexual health. The purpose of the study was to create awareness on the antidepressants effect on the consumers sexual health, and to improve professional competence in holistic nursing care.
Methodology: The study was conducted by using the literature review methodology. The data was collected from CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed health care databases. A total of 5 (N = 5) articles were selected, published between 2000-2024, were included in the text. The data was analyzed using the content analysis tool for qualitative studies.
Findings: The patients experiences of antidepressant medications effect on sexual health were categorized into three main categories: Physical effects; sexual dysfunction and addressing the symptoms, emotional effect; validation, self-esteem, and quality of life, and social effects; stigma and relationship.
Conclusion: Antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction can be interpreted to have a holistic effect on the patient. Contextualizing the sexual dysfunction as part of an overall approach demands more focus in healthcare, in order to improve the management and treatment of these adverse effects and thus, increase the treatment compliance. Due to limited data on the subject, the study does not provide extensive conclusion on the patients experiences of antidepressants effect on sexual health. The evidence presented in the study indicate a clear need for further research.