Do the natural medications for depression and anxiety cause the same sexual side affects?

Question

Containg L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP from Griffonia simplicfolia seeds)..

Thanks ahead for any help.

Answer 1

The current research shows promise in using 5-HTP for depression, and in fact, it has been found to be as effective as some prescription SSRI's.  I haven't read of any sexual side effects.

The best way to find out what possible side effects an alternative treatment might have is to read the studies that have been done.  It's best not to rely on ".com" websites as they're usually trying to sell the product.  The link I've provided will take you to ".edu" websites like the University of Maryland among others.

Answer 2

I know what you're talking about.  I was on antidepressants and my sexual drive was almost non-existent.  Not fun.  :(

I have never heard of 5-htp causing sexual side effects per se but I guess that depends upon the amount you take.  I recommend (and have had success with) a natural 'blend' type product such as Seredyn or Panicyl.  There are others out there but those seem to be the most effective.  In my case it was Panicyl that turned things around for me.  But I guess the bottom line is that you just have to find what works for you and keep an eye on any sexual side effects that can occur.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

No, there are no side effects listed for sexual side effects on any supplements for anxiety. Typically, the SSRI antidepressants are the major killers of the s*x drive because it inhibits Serotonin among other brain chemicals... including Dopamine. Based on a lot of research (much of it around the antidepressants), Dopamine does have a direct impact on the libido, so a decrease in Dopamine means a decrease in s*x drive. That's one of the main reasons that the natural anxiety products don't affect libido... they don't suppress anything (much less Dopamine). Supplements give your body nutrition it's otherwise lacking, so it'll only boost chemicals that help you feel better.

Also, regardless of what skeptics may say, any ingestible product MUST be tested for safety to be sold on the U.S. market. Supplements aren't FDA approved, but they also aren't FDA declined unless they aren't safe (in which case they aren't allowed on the market) and tests for safety and efficacy are required before they are allowed to be in stores.

FWIW, we have thousands of customers that take 5-HTP, and over the past several years (I believe a couple decades or more) that we've been carrying it, there have been no adverse reports about anything related to impaired sexual effects. You're good.  ;-)

Answer 4

I don't know about the specific active you mentioned, but in general some might and some might not.  It depends on what receptors the active is activating/deactivating, and if it is interacting with the same secondary receptors the other drugs interact with that cause the side effects.  

As I'm sure you know, many of the natural supplements have not been tested for safety of efficacy, and you are taking a chance that you will experience unexpected side effects.