Sexual dysfunction and clomipramine

Abstract

Three cases of orgasmic inhibition by clomipramine are reported, one in a male and two in females. All were depressed patients with obsessive-compulsive features. Orgasmic dysfunction manifested shortly after beginning clomipramine therapy despite a return of libido as the depression lifted. Two of these patients switched to desipramine which led to a resolution of sexual dysfunction while maintaining the patients depression free. The third patient manipulated dosage times to diminish the orgastic problem. Strong anticholinergic and/or anti-adrenergic properties of clomipramine are suspected to underlie the development of this problem.