Drugs of Abuse and Sexual Functioning

Palha, António Pacheco; Esteves, Mariana

doi:10.1159/000126628

Cited by 46 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Virtually, alcohol and illicit drugs are known to have inhibitory effects on libido and ejaculation. 40,50,60 Psychoactive substance dependence is a predominantly male activity. Illicit drug use is even more prevalent among young people than in older age groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Psychoactive Substances

Jiann

2008

Chonnam Med J

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Psychoactive substances are believed to be aphrodisiac; but in reality they have deleterious effects on all the aspects of sexual function. The purpose of this article is to review and summarize the available scientific literature on the impact of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs on erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Almost all of them have been reported to be associated with ED. These substances may exert their inhibitory effect on erection through their effects on central neurotransmitter pathways (serotogenic, adrenergic or dopaminergic). Besides, some also may exhibit vasoconstricting properties (cocaine), impair endothelium function (nicotine) or suppress the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary, resulting in hypogonadism (morphine) to induce ED. The relationship between ED and psychoactive substances is attributed not only to pharmacological effects, but also to psychological and social reactions to substance dependence. Whether withdrawal from the substances could restore erectile function remains unknown. However, human and animal studies demonstrated that the effects of neurological damage from chronic substance abuse are long-lasting. This information of sexual consequence of the substances will be of great general interest and may serve as a powerful tool to healthcare providers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…58 Dopamine has been implicated as facilitator and serotonin an inhibitor of sexual function. 59,60 There are long-term psychiatric and physical problems associated with MDMA use. Neurotoxicity induced by MDMA is cumulative and is related to the dose and frequency of drug use.…”

Section: ) Opioidsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Psychoactive Substances

Jiann

2008

Chonnam Med J

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“…[14][15][16] There are several reasons smoking affects sexual function. 6,13 First, nicotine is considered a strong vasoconstrictor and therefore can significantly reduce blood flow to the male and female genitals during sexual activity. 6,13 In an excellent review, it was reported that nicotine, in fact, that can significantly reduce vasoactive substances, such as endothelium-derived relaxing factor, nitric oxide, prostaglandin, prostacycline, and thromboxane, in the vascular endothelium of the male and female genital tract.…”

Section: Tobaccomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, there has been continued interest in studying the effect of drug addiction on human sexual function. 6 This article examines the effects of drugs of abuse on male and female sexual function. Because of the very wide range of drugs of abuse, the most common of them, namely, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, tobacco, amphetamines, opioids, and antidepressant drugs, are focused on.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug Addiction and Sexual Dysfunction

Zaazaa¹,

Bella²,

Shamloul³

2013

Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America

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“…Although some drugs can initially increase sexual response, particularly in those with previous sexual problems, the chronic use of substances tends to deteriorate all stages of sexual function in both male and female drug users [3][4][5] . In line with this evidence, a very high prevalence of sexual dysfunction was recently reported in association with substance use disorders in a Brazilian sample, with a significant correlation between sexual problems and the severity of drug use [6] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Dysfunction in Men Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment: Clinical History and Psychobiological Correlates

et al. 2015

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A variety of studies evidenced a relationship between drug use disorders and sexual dysfunction. In particular, heroin and opioid agonist medications to treat heroin dependence have been found to be associated with erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. Controversial findings also indicate the possibility of factors other than the pharmacological effects of opioid drugs concurring to sexual dysfunction. With the present study, we investigated the link between sexual dysfunction and long-term exposure to opioid receptor stimulation (heroin dependence, methadone maintenance treatment, methadone dosage), the potentially related hormonal changes reflecting hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis function and prolactin (PRL) pituitary release, the role of adverse childhood experiences in the clinical history and the concomitant symptoms of comorbid mental health disorders in contributing to sexual problems. Forty male patients participating in a long-term methadone treatment program were included in the present study and compared with 40 healthy control subjects who never used drugs nor abused alcohol. All patients and controls were submitted to the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), Child Experiences of Care and Abuse-Questionnaire (CECA-Q) and the Symptom Check List-90 Scale. A blood sample for testosterone and PRL assays was collected. Methadone dosages were recorded among heroin-dependent patients on maintenance treatment. Methadone patients scored significantly higher than controls on the 5-item rating ASEX scale, on CECA-Q and on Symptoms Check List 90 (SCL 90) scale. Testosterone plasma levels were significantly lower and PRL levels significantly higher in methadone patients with respect to the healthy control group. ASEX scores reflecting sexual dysfunction were directly and significantly correlated with CECA-Q neglect scores and SCL 90 psychiatric symptoms total score. The linear regression model, when applied only to addicted patients, showed that methadone dosages were not significantly correlated with sexual dysfunction scores except for ‘erectile dysfunction', for which an inverse association was evidenced. Testosterone values showed a significant inverse correlation with ASEX sexual dysfunction scores, CECA-Q neglect scores and psychiatric symptom at SCL 90 among methadone patients. PRL levels were directly and significantly correlated with sexual dysfunction scores, psychiatric symptoms at SCL 90 and CECA-Q neglect scores. Both testosterone and PRL did not correlate with methadone dosages. The present findings appear to support the view of childhood adversities and comorbid psychiatric symptoms contributing to sexual dysfunction and related hormonal changes among methadone patients, challenging the assumption that attributes sexual problems entirely to the direct pharmacological effects of opioid agonist medications.

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Drugs of Abuse and Sexual Functioning

Cited by 46 publications

References 61 publications

Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Psychoactive Substances

Erectile Dysfunction Associated with Psychoactive Substances

Drug Addiction and Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual Dysfunction in Men Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment: Clinical History and Psychobiological Correlates

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