Adderall and sex drive: Is low libido a side effect of this ADHD medication?

Being distracted or dropping focus is likely one of the signs of Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction or ADHD. So, when you’ve got this dysfunction, your thoughts might get lost whereas having intercourse or sharing intimate moments along with your associate. This may increasingly have an effect on your intercourse life in a destructive method. Seems, even having the ADHD remedy, Adderall, might have an effect in your libido. It’s true that there’s extra proof of males experiencing erectile dysfunction and adjustments of their libido and efficiency in mattress. Nonetheless, girls may expertise the sexual unintended effects of this remedy. Learn on to know the connection between Adderall and intercourse drive.

What’s Adderall?

Earlier than exploring the hyperlink between Adderall and intercourse drive, know what it’s and what’s it used for. It’s the commerce title for a prescription remedy containing a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s a central nervous system stimulant, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and releaser, which suggests it will increase neurotransmitter ranges. “It will increase the actions of neurotransmitters and hormones — norepinephrine and dopamine in sure areas of the mind, which can enhance consideration, focus, wakefulness, cut back hyperactivity and enhance fatigue, sleepiness and despair,” explains psychiatrist Dr Aparna Ramakrishnan.

It’s primarily used for the therapy of ADHD and Narcolepsy. Whereas ADHD is a dysfunction that results in signs like fidgeting and issue paying consideration, narcolepsy is a situation the place the mind finds it troublesome to regulate its potential to sleep or keep awake. Adderall is usually used to deal with ADHD and narcolepsy, as each are related to a dysfunction of those neurotransmitters within the mind, in response to analysis printed in StatPearls.

Adderall and intercourse drive: How does it have an effect on libido?

Right here’s the connection between Adderall and intercourse drive in girls:

1. Could improve intercourse drive

“In some girls, Adderall might increase libido, particularly if ADHD signs have been beforehand interfering with sexual curiosity or satisfaction,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Meenakshi Banerjee. Amphetamine, a part of the remedy, might improve sexual expertise, as per analysis printed within the Nordic Research On Alcohol And Medicine.

“Ladies with ADHD usually expertise distraction that impacts their intercourse life. By bettering consideration and lowering nervousness, the remedy might make it simpler to be current throughout sexual exercise,” says Dr Banerjee.

Additionally, dopamine performs a central position within the mind’s reward system, and that features sexual pleasure. “One other connection between Adderall and intercourse drive is that the remedy boosts dopamine ranges. So, it could improve sexual want or responsiveness in some girls,” says the skilled.

Additionally, for some girls, the optimistic affiliation between Adderall and intercourse drive could also be as a result of the prescribed drug reduces emotional overwhelm and enhances vitality. This may increasingly not directly elevate libido and promote a extra optimistic physique picture.

2. Could lower intercourse drive

Nonetheless, the alternative can be true, as a research, printed by the US Nationwide Library Of Drugs confirmed that ladies might expertise decreased libido with Adderall. “For narcolepsy, 5 to 60 mg of the drugs per day is taken in divided doses. For ADHD, it begins with 5 mg a couple of times a day (rapid launch pill). Regularly, the dose can improve as much as a most of 40 mg per day,” says Dr Ramakrishnan. As for the prolonged launch pill for ADHD, it begins with 10 mg per day, and might step by step improve as much as a most 30 mg per day. Greater doses or continual use can have an effect on the degrees of hormones like cortisol and prolactin. “This could result in a lower in libido and menstrual cycle adjustments,” says Dr Ramakrishnan.

Dome girls might expertise a numbing of feelings whereas on the remedy, which can cut back curiosity in intercourse. Stimulants can increase vitality initially, however they could additionally result in crashes or irritability later within the day—each of which might affect libido,” says Dr Banerjee.

3. Impression on orgasm and sexual operate

There generally is a destructive connection between Adderall and intercourse drive as a result of the drugs might cut back blood movement to personal elements, which might make arousal, lubrication, and orgasm tougher. “Whereas some girls discover it tougher to succeed in orgasm, others can expertise discomfort throughout intercourse attributable to dryness or pressure,” says Dr Banerjee.

Adderall and intercourse drive: What may be executed?

The connection between Adderall and intercourse drive may be each optimistic and destructive. Whether it is affecting your libido, do the next:

• Discuss to your physician: By no means modify the dose or cease taking the remedy with out consulting a health care provider first. A change in dosage, timing, or switching to a different ADHD therapy might assist.
• Monitor timing: Some girls expertise fewer unintended effects in the event that they modify once they take the remedy.
• Keep hydrated and think about vaginal moisturisers if dryness is a matter.
  Discover remedy or {couples} counselling if sexual adjustments have an effect on relationships.

Adderall and intercourse drive could also be linked. Whereas it might probably improve libido and focus for some, it could cut back want or sexual satisfaction for others. Consulting a health care provider is vital to discovering the precise steadiness for each psychological and sexual well being.