• Baljit Khamba, Monique Aucoin, Millie Lytle, Monica Vermani, Anabel Maldonado, Christina Iorio, Catherine Cameron, Dina Tsirgielis, Christina D'Ambrosio, Leena Anand, and Martin A Katzman.
• 1 START Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders , Toronto, Ontario, Canada .
• J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Nov 1; 19 (11): 862-9.

BackgroundAntidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are known to cause secondary sexual dysfunction with prevalence rates as high as 50%-90%. Emerging research is establishing that acupuncture may be an effective treatment modality for sexual dysfunction including impotence, loss of libido, and an inability to orgasm.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the potential benefits of acupuncture in the management of sexual dysfunction secondary to SSRIs and SNRIs.SubjectsPractitioners at the START Clinic referred participants experiencing adverse sexual events from their antidepressant medication for acupuncture treatment at the Mood and Anxiety Disorders, a tertiary care mood and anxiety disorder clinic in Toronto.DesignParticipants received a Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment and followed an acupuncture protocol for 12 consecutive weeks. The acupuncture points used were Kidney 3, Governing Vessel 4, Urinary Bladder 23, with Heart 7 and Pericardium 6. Participants also completed a questionnaire package on a weekly basis.Outcomes MeasuredThe questionnaire package consisted of self-report measures assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and various aspects of sexual function.ResultsSignificant improvement among male participants was noted in all areas of sexual functioning, as well as in both anxiety and depressive symptoms. Female participants reported a significant improvement in libido and lubrication and a nonsignificant trend toward improvement in several other areas of function.ConclusionsThis study suggests a potential role for acupuncture in the treatment of the sexual side-effects of SSRIs and SNRIs as well for a potential benefit of integrating medical and complementary and alternative practitioners.

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