Antipsychotic Sexual Side Effects: What You Need to Know

When you take antipsychotic medications, a class of drugs used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. Also known as neuroleptics, these drugs work by balancing brain chemicals—but they don’t just affect thoughts and moods. They can also change how your body responds to intimacy. Many people don’t talk about it, but antipsychotic sexual side effects are common, often overlooked, and deeply personal. You might notice lower libido, trouble getting or keeping an erection, delayed or absent orgasm, or even reduced sexual pleasure. These aren’t just inconveniences—they can strain relationships, hurt self-esteem, and make people stop taking their meds altogether.

These side effects happen because antipsychotics block dopamine, a key brain chemical involved in pleasure, motivation, and sexual response. Some also raise prolactin levels, a hormone that can shut down sex drive and even cause breast changes or milk production in men and women. Not all antipsychotics do this the same way. Older ones like haloperidol and risperidone are more likely to cause these issues. Newer ones like aripiprazole or clozapine tend to be gentler on sexual function, but they’re not risk-free. It’s not about the drug alone—it’s about your age, gender, dose, and how long you’ve been taking it. Someone on a low dose for five years might feel fine, while another person on the same drug for three months struggles daily.

What makes this even harder is that doctors rarely ask about it. If you’re not the one to bring it up, the problem stays hidden. But you’re not alone—studies show up to 70% of people on antipsychotics experience some form of sexual dysfunction. And here’s the thing: you don’t have to just live with it. There are options. Dose adjustments, switching meds, adding medications like bupropion, or even non-drug approaches like counseling can help. It’s not about giving up your treatment—it’s about making it work better for your whole life.

Below, you’ll find real, practical posts that dig into how these side effects show up, which drugs are most likely to cause them, and what you can do about it. Whether you’re managing this yourself, supporting someone else, or just trying to understand the full picture, these articles give you clear, no-fluff info. No jargon. No sugarcoating. Just what works—and what doesn’t.