For a long time, antidepressants sexual side effects have been neglected. Currently, no reliable scientific data is available regarding the nature and frequency of sexual dysfunction induced by antidepressants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and type of sexual dysfunction induced by antidepressants, and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of these disorders.

A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study extending over a period of two week. For the purpose of this research, a socio-demographic card, the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (SALSEX) were used.

Fifty-five patients were recruited. The diagnosis of major depressive episodes was dominant (49.1%). Moreover, fluoxetine and tricyclic were in top of the list of antidepressants with respective proportions of 41.8% and 38.2% and respective dose 20.86 mg/24 h and 72.38 mg/24 h. The score using the ASEX scale was 14.63 ± 5.23. Using the SALSEX scale, 47.3% of patients claimed to have had sexual disorders secondary to antidepressants with a moderate score of 9.19 ± 2.56. Furthermore, sexual disorders were more common in the elderly aged of 45 (66.66%) as well as in patients started on paroxetine (66.66%) and on sertraline (66.66%) (P ≤ 0.05).

The sexual side effects of antidepressants have a major impact on the quality of life and adherence to treatment. They also represent an important risk factor for relapse and recurrence in major depression, in this context, the prescription of an antidepressant.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.