Key takeaways

Buspirone (formerly sold under the brand name Buspar) is an antianxiety medication that has effects distinct from those of SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
It is sometimes associated with sexual side effects, but it also can be added to an SSRI in cases where physicians are unable or unwilling to change the medication.
Men and women both can experience a variety of sexual changes, from low sex drive to trouble reaching orgasm.
If you experience any of these signs, contact your healthcare provider. They may be able to determine what’s causing it, and can make changes to your treatment accordingly.

Buspirone overview

Is a member of the azapirone antianxiety drug class
Primarily prescribed to treat Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Acting on serotonin (5-HT1A) and dopamine receptors in the brain
It does not produce powerful sedation or dependency as benzodiazepines do
Commonly prescribed as a daily not an on demand medication
Famed for their relatively low incidence of side effects relative to many other anxiety remedies

Does buspirone cause sexual side effects?

Sexual side effects are not the most common issue with buspar, but they do occur. Others say they experience a lower sex drive, trouble performing in bed, or difficulty achieving orgasm. On the other hand, in some instances buspirone has been administered to reverse SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction – difficulty with reaching orgasm being a prominent example.

This dual effect demonstrates how much buspirone’s influence on sexual health swings from person to person.

Sexual side effects of buspirone for men

Men possible side effects during sexual activity may be:

Reduced libido (sex drive)
Erectile difficulties
Delayed ejaculation or the inability to reach orgasm

It is believed that these effects are related to buspirone’s action on serotonin and dopamine activity, two neurotransmitters known to play a major role in sexual desire and function. They’re not the most common, but they can still affect your quality of life.

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Sexual side effects of buspirone for Women

For women, potential sexual side effects are:

Decreased libido
Reduced sexual arousal
Difficulty achieving orgasm (anorgasmia)

For the woman on an SSRI who is handed a prescription for this anti anxiety medication , it might help restore sexual function by normalizing serotonin effects. But for others, buspar can lead to decreased desire or problems achieving satisfaction.

Can the sexual side effects of buspirone disappear?

In some instances, side effects do diminish as the body gets used to the medication. Sexual side effects may be permanent as long as this anti anxiety medication is used by some individuals. The result depends on some conditions:

Dosage
Individual sensitivity to neurotransmitter changes
Use of any other medications at the same time

If the side effects have not dissipated after a few weeks, an adjustment to the medication may be necessary.

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How can you manage sexual side effects from buspirone?

If buspirone is affecting your sexual health, here are some steps that may help:

Never discontinue buspirone abruptly without talking with a doctor. Your provider may change your dose or recommend a different drug.
Sometimes just altering when the medication is taken can help limit a few of these side effects.
When patients are able to manage stress, exercise and eat well their sex function will improve.
In certain cases, a second medication may be recommended to counteract side effects.

Is buspirone lower in sexual side effects than other antianxiety drugs?

Yes, there is some consensus that buspirone tends to be less associated with sexual side effects than SSRIs and some other antianxiety medications. SSRIs, for instance are notorious for reducing libido and delaying orgasm in men as well as women. Benzodiazepines may impede skill by producing sedation.

This novel mechanism of buspirone’s action results in it causing sexual side effects in some, but also being used to reverse the sexual side effects of SSRI medications.

The bottom line

Thus, buspirone is still a useful and quite safe medication for patients with GAD. Although sexual side effects are possible, they are not necessarily frequent and also run in the other direction in some cases—helping reverse sexual dysfunction induced by drugs for other reasons.

If you’ve noticed changes in your sex drive or sexual ability since you began taking buspirone, address it with your doctor. Your health-care provider can help you figure out if buspirone is guilty one and suggest adjustments that preserve your sanity and desire.