**New Test May Predict Sexual Side Effects from Antidepressants**
Scientists have discovered that sexual problems such as difficulty achieving an erection or reaching orgasm during antidepressant treatment may be linked to serotonin levels in the brain—but only in people with depression taking a specific type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
This new finding could help doctors tailor medication choices for each patient, especially those concerned about sexual side effects.
The study was presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) conference held in Amsterdam.
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### Sexual Side Effects Common with SSRIs
Sexual problems are a frequent issue for people with depression. SSRIs, including well-known drugs like Prozac and escitalopram, are commonly prescribed to improve mood. However, while these medications can be effective in treating depression, they are often accompanied by sexual side effects.
These side effects—such as reduced sexual desire, trouble getting or maintaining an erection, and delayed orgasm—can affect up to 70% of individuals taking SSRIs. Such issues may lead some patients to stop their medication prematurely.
Currently, there is no reliable method to predict who will experience these sexual side effects.
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### The Copenhagen Study: Predicting Sexual Side Effects
A team of researchers in Copenhagen may have found a way to foresee these issues. They studied 90 people diagnosed with depression and measured their brain serotonin activity before any treatment began.
This was done using a test called Loudness Dependence of Auditory Evoked Potentials (LDAEP), a simple and non-invasive hearing test. During LDAEP, participants listen to sounds at varying volumes while brain activity is recorded.
Interestingly, this test can serve as an indicator of serotonin levels: a lower LDAEP score corresponds to higher serotonin activity in the brain.
After the initial testing, all participants underwent an 8-week course of SSRI treatment. The researchers carefully tracked their sexual health throughout this period.
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### Key Findings: Higher Serotonin Activity Linked to Sexual Problems
The study revealed that individuals with higher serotonin activity before starting medication were significantly more likely to develop sexual side effects—especially difficulties reaching orgasm.
Dr. Kristian Jensen, lead researcher from Copenhagen University Hospital, stated that by combining LDAEP results with information about a person’s sexual history, they could predict orgasm-related problems with 87% accuracy.
He mentioned that more research is essential to accurately assess the risk of erectile dysfunction, particularly in men.
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### Implications for Personalized Treatment
This early prediction method could help patients avoid the distress of unwanted side effects. If confirmed in larger studies, doctors might use the LDAEP test to select antidepressants less likely to cause sexual issues for individual patients.
Dr. Jensen emphasized that the test is applicable only to sexual problems caused by medication; it is not designed to diagnose general sexual difficulties. The team is currently working on a larger study involving 600 participants to explore how serotonin and sex hormone levels influence sexual function during depression and treatment.
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### Expert Opinions and Future Directions
Professor Eric Ruhe, an expert in treatment-resistant depression at Radboudumc in the Netherlands, praised the study as “very interesting” and noted its potential to help predict which patients might experience sexual side effects from antidepressants.
He highlighted the importance of such testing for patients hesitant to begin treatment due to fear of side effects. Ruhe also encouraged further research to develop tools that not only predict side effects but guide better medication choices as well.
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### Study Limitations and Availability of the LDAEP Test
The current research is undergoing peer review, with additional studies needed to validate the findings. Most participants were young adults (average age 27) and predominantly female (73%), so the applicability of the results to a broader population remains to be seen.
Describing the LDAEP test, Dr. Jensen said, “We play sounds through headphones at different volumes and measure brain waves. The whole test takes about 30 minutes and is completely non-invasive.”
Although the test is not yet widely available, broader use may become possible if future research supports its effectiveness.
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### Additional Mental Health Resources
If you are interested in mental health, consider reading studies on the links between cannabis use disorder and increased risk of mental illnesses, as well as research on certain mental health medications that can cause rapid weight gain.
For more health insights, explore studies showing how one sleepless night can temporarily reverse depression symptoms, and new scientific advances in treating depression among older adults.
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*Stay informed and speak with your healthcare provider about concerns regarding antidepressants and potential side effects.*
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