A medical practitioner at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, Dr
Arikawe Adeolu, on Tuesday, said that long use of analgesics and
antidepressant drugs, could cause sexual dysfunction and low sperm
count.
Adeolu told the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview that the class
of analgesics that could cause this condition was the narcotic
analgesic, an example of which is morphine.
The medical expert said morphine affects the hormonal balance of the
body and causes an increase in production of prolactin, adding that
increased prolactin in the body can led to infertility in both men and
women.
Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary grand in the brain.
its primary role is to help initiate and maintain breast milk production
in pregnant and nursing women.
He said that because prolactin could be induced by the use of this
drug, “men who used it would experience low sperm count, while women
would experience menstrual irregularities.”
According to him, both sexes will experience decreased libido as
prolactin blocks the other hormones responsible for reproduction.
Adeolu said, “A class of anti-hypertensive drugs can also cause
sexual dysfunction. These drugs are centrally acting anti-hypertensive
medication, one of which is methyldopa, commonly known as aldomet.
“For antidepressants, they affect a particular neurotransmitter which
is called by serotonin. Serotonin is very important in the control of
sexual behaviour.
“Once the neurotransmitter level is affected, there is a risk of
sexual dysfunction which leads to reduction in sexual drive, inability
to have an erection and ejaculation in men.
“For women it can cause a decrease in libido that is the sexual drive, delayed orgasm and wetness of the vagina.”
He said that other commonly used medications that could cause sexual
dysfunction included: antihistamines, ketoconazole an antifungal,
anti-seizure drugs and alcohol.
Adeolu said that the risk of sexual dysfunction was only significant with long term use of these medications or overdose.
He said the sexual dysfunction caused by use of these drugs was not
permanent, adding that cessation of use of the drugs could reverse the
condition. NAN
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