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

Being distracted or shedding focus is likely one of the signs of Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction or ADHD. So, you probably have this dysfunction, your thoughts might get lost whereas having intercourse or sharing intimate moments together with your associate. This may occasionally have an effect on your intercourse life in a unfavourable approach. Seems, even having the ADHD treatment, 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, ladies may expertise the sexual negative effects of this treatment. 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 identify for a prescription treatment containing a mix of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s a central nervous system stimulant, a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and releaser, which implies 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 melancholy,” 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 tough to regulate its means to sleep or keep awake. Adderall is commonly used to deal with ADHD and narcolepsy, as each are related to a dysfunction of those neurotransmitters within the mind, based on 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. Could enhance intercourse drive

“In some ladies, Adderall might enhance 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 treatment, might improve sexual expertise, as per analysis revealed within the Nordic Research On Alcohol And Medication.

“Girls with ADHD usually expertise distraction that impacts their intercourse life. By enhancing consideration and decreasing anxiousness, the treatment 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 treatment boosts dopamine ranges. So, it could enhance sexual want or responsiveness in some ladies,” says the skilled.

Additionally, for some ladies, the constructive affiliation between Adderall and intercourse drive could also be as a result of the prescribed drug reduces emotional overwhelm and enhances power. This may occasionally not directly raise libido and promote a extra constructive physique picture.

2. Could lower intercourse drive

Nonetheless, the alternative can also be true, as a examine, revealed by the US Nationwide Library Of Drugs confirmed that ladies might expertise decreased libido with Adderall. “For narcolepsy, 5 to 60 mg of the medication per day is taken in divided doses. For ADHD, it begins with 5 mg a few times a day (quick launch pill). Regularly, the dose can enhance 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 may steadily enhance as much as a most 30 mg per day. Greater doses or power use can have an effect on the degrees of hormones like cortisol and prolactin. “This may result in a lower in libido and menstrual cycle adjustments,” says Dr Ramakrishnan.

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

3. Affect on orgasm and sexual operate

There generally is a unfavourable connection between Adderall and intercourse drive as a result of the medication might cut back blood stream to non-public components, which might make arousal, lubrication, and orgasm harder. “Whereas some ladies discover it more durable to achieve orgasm, others can expertise discomfort throughout intercourse because of dryness or stress,” says Dr Banerjee.

Adderall and intercourse drive: What might be accomplished?

The connection between Adderall and intercourse drive might be each constructive and unfavourable. Whether it is affecting your libido, do the next:

• Speak to your physician: By no means alter the dose or cease taking the treatment 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 ladies expertise fewer negative effects in the event that they alter after they take the treatment.
• Keep hydrated and take into account 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 could possibly improve libido and focus for some, it could cut back want or sexual satisfaction for others. Consulting a health care provider is essential to discovering the suitable steadiness for each psychological and sexual well being.