Causes
Medication
There are many different types of medications used by women with diabetes which can interfere with different aspects of sexual functioning.
These include:
- Antidepressants, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors
- Lipid-lowering agents
- Beta-blockers (used to treat blood pressure and circulation problems)
- Calcium channel blockers (used to treat heart and circulatory problems, including hypertension and angina)
- Thiazide diuretics (used to treat hypertension)
- Cimetidine (used to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers)
- Digoxin (brand name Lanoxin; used to treat heart failure and other problems)
- Phenytoin (brand name Dilantin; used to treat epilepsy)
- Oral oestrogens (used in hormone replacement therapy – HRT - to treat symptoms of the menopause)
- Progesterones (used in birth-control pills, HRT and to treat infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding and pre-menstrual syndrome)
- Benzodiazepines (group of medicines used to treat a range of conditions, including: anxiety; insomnia; muscle spasms; convulsive disorders, including epilepsy; and alcohol withdrawal symptoms).
For information on getting further help and support, see our psychological and getting support pages.
View other pages in Causes
- Physical
- Psychological
- Medication