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Question:
I am a 35-year-old male C6-7 quad (13 years), and started taking Baclofen four years ago for spasms. Before that, I had a
healthy sex drive. Now my sex drive is none. I have an understanding with my wife, but this is more frustrating to me than
to her. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to help increase my sex drive.
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Answer:
by Mitchell Tepper: (05/16/2004)
By Mitch Tepper, Lizzi McNeff and Patti McNeff
As you are probably aware, Baclofen is the current first choice of treatment for controlling spasticity. Research indicates that
it is very effective and has been found to produce the greatest benefit and fewest negative side-effects. Pushed to high
dosages (above 60 mg per day), however, Baclofen can cause drowsiness, weakness and mental clouding. All these can
contribute to lowering your sex drive, even though reduced libido is not listed as one of the medication's side-effects.
It is also possible that erection and/or ejaculation may be impaired by very high doses, since Baclofen inhibits the somatic
nervous system. Low desire can be secondary to erectile dysfunction, so improving function should improve desire.
If you think your loss of sex drive is caused by Baclofen, talk with your physician about reducing the dosage or experimenting
with alternative drugs. Warning: abrupt withdrawal from Baclofen is not recommended and may lead to hallucinations,
confusion and seizures. Pharmacologically, Dantrium--as well as diazepam and Klonopin--should have no effect on your sex
drive but are more likely to cause weakness and have a higher potential for liver toxicity. These are trade-offs you and your
doctor will need to assess.
Complementary therapies that may reduce spasticity include stretching, range-of-motion exercises, swimming, yoga, massage
and chair aerobics. You might also have your testosterone levels tested and get a general physical to rule out other biological
causes.
Take note of any improvements in your sex drive. If Baclofen is not the source of the problem, you should consider other
potential causes. Desire disorders are difficult to define and diagnose, and a sex therapist can help you sort out contributing
factors such as performance anxiety or the pressure to be sexual that many people with disabilities experience.
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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