Lexapro is a medication to help treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. It can cause a variety of side effects, including sexual side effects like ED. However, ED may occur due to a combination of physical and psychological factors, including depression and anxiety.
Talk with a doctor if you experience ED after taking Lexapro. They can recommend other options to escitalopram that may be less likely to cause ED and other sexual side effects.
The link between Lexapro and ED
Lexapro is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication. SSRIs have low toxicity and are generally well-tolerated. Still, they can cause significant side effects.
Some of the most common side effects of escitalopram are:
- ED
- difficulty reaching orgasm
- reduced libido (sex drive)
- delayed ejaculation
This is because SSRIs increase your body’s serotonin levels, which may affect the levels of other hormones and neurotransmitters, including testosterone and dopamine, which play a role in erectile functions.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your emotional well-being and mood, including libido and sexual functioning.
Some studies have found that up to 80% of people taking SSRIs have experienced sexual side effects at some point.
Some potential risk factors for ED are:
- depression
- anxiety
- lowered self-esteem
- other neurological disorders that doctors often treat with antidepressants
While ED is a side effect of certain antidepressants, like Lexapro, experiencing sexual difficulties may also suggest that the treatment you’re taking may not be effectively working. In this case, speak with a doctor to discuss your alternatives.
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Get free cardSpeaking with a doctor
If you experience ED, other sexual difficulties, or any other side effects, consider speaking with a doctor. They can recommend other alternatives to Lexapro or prescribe a treatment for ED to help improve the difficulties you may experience while taking this antidepressant.
Note that if you switch to a different antidepressant, it may take some time before the sexual side effects and erectile difficulties go away after discontinuing Lexapro. This is because your body needs time to recover from any hormonal imbalances that may have developed.
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Alternative treatments
If a doctor suspects your ED may only be temporary or your sexual difficulties aren’t severe, they may recommend trying some short-term ED medications before switching to a new antidepressant.
Some treatment options for ED may include:
- medications to improve blood flow in the penis, such as:
- sildenafil (Viagra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Levitra)
- avanafil (Stendra)
- penis pumps
- testosterone therapy
- injections of alprostadil (Edex)
Doctors may also recommend making some relevant lifestyle changes that can help improve ED, such as:
- maintaining a moderate body weight or losing weight if you have overweight or obesity
- quitting smoking if you smoke
- exercising regularly
- reducing your alcohol consumption if you drink
- managing stress and anxiety
If these don’t work or if you experience severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe a different type of antidepressant that has a low risk of causing ED and other sexual dysfunctions.
The following table lists some of the antidepressants that have a low prevalence of sexual side effects and the forms of sexual dysfunctions they may cause.
| Antidepressant | Prevalence of sexual side effects | Main forms of sexual dysfunctions reported |
|---|---|---|
| bupropion (Wellbutrin) | 0.75% | arousal (1.83%) desire (1.29%) orgasm (1.26%) |
| mirtazapine (Remeron) | 2.32% | desire (6.03%) orgasm (4.4%) arousal (3.92%) |
| fluvoxamine (Luvox) | 3.27% | arousal (31.42%) orgasm (11.91%) desire (6.31%) |
| duloxetine (Cymbalta) | 4.36% | arousal (10.95%) desire (5.25%) |
| phenelzine (Nardil) | 6.43% | orgasm (11.85%) arousal (5.76%) desire (5.71%) |
| imipramine (Tofranil) | 7.24% | desire (6.33%) arousal (6.07%) orgasm (5.25%) |
Summary
Lexapro is an SSRI antidepressant. These medications can make changes in your serotonin levels that may also affect the levels of other neurotransmitters responsible for sexual functioning, such as dopamine and testosterone. Some of the most common side effects of SSRIs are sexual dysfunctions, including ED.
Consider speaking with a doctor if you experience any sexual difficulties when taking Lexapro. They can prescribe some medications for the short-term treatment of ED.
If you’re experiencing severe sexual side effects, a doctor can recommend other antidepressants that may be less likely to cause issues like ED.
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