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The best first step is to talk with your health care provider about how this can best be addressed. This assumes you have a close and trusted relationship with your provider. Some medications have fewer sexual side effects and may supplement or replace the use of SSRIs. For example, non-SSRI antidepressant medications may help reduce or eliminate medication-induced sexual dysfunction.

Your health care provider may also be able to adjust or lower the dose of your medication. The goal for any mental health treatment plan that includes medication is to find the lowest effective does with the fewest side effects. You can also try medications with shorter half-lives. Half-life refers to the amount of time for half of the medication to be eliminated from the bloodstream.

Ultimately perhaps, the best strategy to minimize or eliminate sexual dysfunction side effects is to talk with your health care provider about altering your medication if possible.