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

Being distracted or shedding focus is without doubt one of the signs of Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction or ADHD. So, when you’ve got this dysfunction, your thoughts might wander away whereas having intercourse or sharing intimate moments along with your associate. This may increasingly have an effect on your intercourse life in a detrimental manner. Seems, even having the ADHD medicine, Adderall, might have an effect in your libido. It’s true that there’s extra proof of males experiencing erectile dysfunction and modifications of their libido and efficiency in mattress. Nonetheless, ladies might also expertise the sexual negative effects of this medicine. 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 medicine 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 remedy 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 manage 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 revealed 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 ladies:

1. Might improve intercourse drive

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

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

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

Additionally, for some ladies, 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 carry libido and promote a extra optimistic physique picture.

2. Might lower intercourse drive

Nonetheless, the other can be true, as a examine, revealed by the US Nationwide Library Of Medication confirmed that girls 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). Steadily, 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 steadily improve as much as a most 30 mg per day. Larger doses or persistent use can have an effect on the degrees of hormones like cortisol and prolactin. “This will result in a lower in libido and menstrual cycle modifications,” says Dr Ramakrishnan.

Dome ladies might expertise a numbing of feelings whereas on the medicine, 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 may affect libido,” says Dr Banerjee.

3. Influence on orgasm and sexual operate

There is usually a detrimental connection between Adderall and intercourse drive as a result of the drugs might cut back blood movement to non-public elements, which may make arousal, lubrication, and orgasm tougher. “Whereas some ladies discover it tougher to achieve orgasm, others can expertise discomfort throughout intercourse on account of dryness or rigidity,” says Dr Banerjee.

Adderall and intercourse drive: What may be finished?

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

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

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