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- 30.8% of antidepressant users said they had genital numbness during treatment.
- 13.2% had lasting numbness even after they stopped taking the drugs.
- More than 95% of people affected were LGBTQ+ youth.
- Antidepressant users were 14 times more likely to have long-term genital numbness than people who didn't use them.
- Researchers want clearer warnings and more long-term studies on sexual problems after treatment.
More young people are using antidepressants to deal with depression and anxiety. Scientists are raising concerns about a long-term side effect: genital numbness. This is especially common in LGBTQ+ youth, and it's part of a condition called Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD). It often continues even after people stop taking antidepressants. This article will discuss what we know about this issue, who is most at risk, and how growing interest in things like functional mushrooms might point to a change in how we think about mental wellness.
Antidepressants and Their Growing Use
Antidepressants are drugs used to treat symptoms of mental health problems, mostly depression and anxiety. They include types like:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) – such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) – such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) – used less now because they can cause worse side effects.
These drugs mostly work by raising the levels of chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. These chemicals are important for mood and emotions.
More Use Among Young People
Prescriptions for antidepressants have gone up around the world. But there's one group where the increase is very big: people aged 15–29. In both the U.S. and Canada, more teens and young adults are using antidepressants than before. Data shows that mental health problems in young people are a reason. Things like social pressure, school stress, and world events make it worse.
However, this big increase also brings big worries. Many young people get antidepressants without full information about possible long-term side effects. These can last after treatment and include sexual problems and genital numbness.
What Is Genital Numbness and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction?
Genital numbness, also called genital hypoesthesia, means feeling less or different sensation in the genital area. This can cause big problems, like less sexual pleasure, trouble having orgasms, and feeling bad emotionally because of a disconnect from your body.
How It's Different From Normal Sexual Side Effects
Many antidepressants are known to cause sexual side effects such as lower sex drive, delayed orgasm, and erection problems. These usually stop when you stop taking the medication. But PSSD is different and more serious.
What is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)?
PSSD is when sexual side effects continue for months or even years after stopping SSRIs or other antidepressants. Symptoms can be:
- Genital numbness or less feeling
- Lower or no sexual desire
- Delayed orgasm or not being able to have an orgasm
- Erection or lubrication problems
- Feeling emotionally numb or distant from sexual things
Unlike sexual problems from depression, which are often mental, PSSD seems to be a nerve issue. It affects how nerves work in the genitals. Current research suggests it's caused by antidepressants affecting serotonin and nerves over a long time.
The New Study and What It Found
In 2024, a new study in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology gave new information about how common and long-lasting genital numbness is in antidepressant users, especially LGBTQ+ youth.
Main Points
The study looked at over 9,600 young people aged 15 to 29 in the U.S. and Canada using the UnACoRN survey. Of these, 2,179 had taken psychiatric drugs and were sexually active.
They found:
- 30.8% said they had genital numbness while taking antidepressants.
- 13.2% said they had symptoms that lasted after stopping the drugs.
- Only 1.0% of sedative users (who didn't use antidepressants) had similar problems after treatment. This shows a strong link to antidepressants.
- Analysis showed that people who used to take antidepressants were 14 times more likely to report genital numbness than those who only used sedatives.
These results show a worrying trend in mental health care. Genital numbness and other sexual problems are not just temporary side effects. They can become ongoing issues, greatly harming quality of life for years.
Groups More Likely To Be At Risk
It's important to note that over 95% of people in the UnACoRN group were part of a sexual or gender minority group. This includes LGBTQ+ youth, who are already more likely to have mental health problems.
Why LGBTQ+ Youth Are More Affected
- More mental distress: Studies show that LGBTQ+ people, especially teens, have more anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.
- More discrimination: They often face trauma from bullying, social stigma, and lack of family support.
- More likely to get mental health treatment: LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be prescribed antidepressants or other mental health drugs than other young people.
Sadly, sexual and gender minority youth are often not included enough in studies and check-ups. This is despite the fact that they are more likely to use psychiatric drugs.
This creates a bad situation: a group already at risk is more likely to be given medication but less likely to be properly warned about lasting side effects. These side effects affect important parts of who they are, like sexuality and physical feelings.
Why Sexual Side Effects Are Often Missed
Even though they are important, genital numbness and PSSD are often not dealt with or are misdiagnosed. There are several reasons for this:
1. Social and Cultural Issues
It can be hard to talk about sex, especially if you already feel insecure. Young patients may not know their symptoms are unusual or may be embarrassed to talk to doctors about them.
2. Doctor Bias and Wrong Explanations
Doctors may think sexual side effects are from the mental illness itself, not the medication. They might say, "It must be the depression." This makes patients' concerns seem less important.
3. No Initial Check
Most mental health checks don't include a full look at sexual function before antidepressants are prescribed. Without knowing how things were before, it's hard to know if a side effect is from the drug or the original problem.
4. Lack of Information
PSSD is not talked about much in books for psychiatrists or public health advice. Also, reporting systems like the FDA’s MedWatch usually don't catch sexual problems after treatment unless the patient reports it themselves.
The Need for Better Research and Rules
The study's authors and mental health advocates are strongly recommending changes in the industry.
Needed Actions Include:
- Long-Term Studies: Current studies often only last 6–12 weeks. This is not enough time to see long-term side effects.
- Better Consent Forms for Patients: Risks like PSSD or genital numbness must be clearly stated.
- Training for Providers: Mental health professionals need to know about PSSD and how to recognize it.
- Government Oversight: Agencies like the FDA or Health Canada should make drug companies track and report long-term side effects, especially in younger people.
Getting permission from patients should be a key part of every treatment plan, not just something added at the end.
Other Ways to Treat Depression
Antidepressants will still be important for many, and they can save lives. But they are not the only choice, especially for people worried about long-term side effects like genital numbness.
Other Treatment Options
Many non-drug treatments have been shown to work as well for mild to moderate depression. These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps change negative thinking.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This is helpful for managing emotions, especially in teens and young adults.
- Exercise: This is proven to release chemicals that improve mood.
- Mindfulness: Practices like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises are known to lower stress.
- Diet Changes: Omega-3s, fermented foods, and less sugar can help gut health, which is linked to the brain.
- New Psychedelic Treatments: Studies on psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine for mental health are showing promise in big research centers.
Treatment plans should be made together with patients and their families. Everyone should know the good and bad things about each option.
Can Mushrooms Help Mental Wellness?
People are increasingly interested in natural options. Functional mushrooms are becoming popular because they can help the body adapt to stress and protect the brain. These include:
1. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
- Helps Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) which helps nerves repair and grow.
- Some users say it improves focus, memory, and mood.
- May be helpful for people with nerve-related side effects like genital numbness.
2. Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)
- Known to improve sleep and lower stress hormones.
- Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Cordyceps
- Increases cell energy (ATP) and improves stamina.
- May help with tiredness and burnout, common in depression.
More research is needed, but many people use functional mushrooms as part of a healthy lifestyle. They are generally safe and have few side effects. But they should not replace prescribed medication without talking to a doctor.
Wellness With Mushrooms
At Zombie Mushrooms, we think healing starts at home, in nature, and with purpose.
Our Lion’s Mane and Reishi home grow kits let people try functional mushrooms for themselves. They can learn about mushrooms and get possible brain and nerve support.
From articles to resources on growing mushrooms, we want to explain natural healing methods. We want to help people live with fungi as partners in health and growth.
Whether you are thinking about stopping an SSRI, starting one, or looking for healthy lifestyle choices, functional mushrooms could be something to add to your mental wellness plan.
Your Next Steps: Making Good Mental Health Choices
Depression is a real problem, and so are treatment effects. Everyone should have access to care that works, is honest, and fits their beliefs and long-term health goals.
Here’s how young people, especially LGBTQ+ individuals, can take charge:
- Get informed: Learn all the risks of any antidepressant, including sexual side effects.
- Track symptoms: Note any changes in physical feeling or sex drive while on or after medication.
- Speak up for yourself: Get a second opinion or ask your doctor about other treatments.
- Look into natural options: Consider things like functional mushrooms, therapy, and nutrition.
- Find support: Connect with doctors and groups who understand your situation.
Mental health is very personal, and your treatment plan should be too.
Citations
- Pirani, Y., Delgado-Ron, J. A., Marinho, P., Gupta, A., Grey, E., Watt, S., MacKinnon,
- K. R., & Salway, T. (2024). Frequency of self-reported persistent post-treatment genital hypoesthesia among past antidepressant users: a cross-sectional survey of sexual and gender minority youth in Canada and the US. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-024-02769-0
