Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAdderall and EDOther Sexual Side EffectsManagement
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Adderall and ED
Other Sexual Side Effects
Management
Adderall is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)and occasionallynarcolepsy. While the medication can be helpful, it does have many side effects, some of which can impact your sexual health.
Some people with a penis experience Adderallerectile dysfunction (ED). Other potential side effects include a decreased interest in sex.
ED is typically more common in older adults, but young people who take Adderall are more likely to have ED than their peers who do not take the medication. Reduced sexual functioning can negatively impact mental health and sexual wellness.
Here’s what you should know about the sexual side effects of Adderall.
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Adderall Side Effects in Men
Adderall and Erectile Dysfunction
Adderall is the brand name of a medication that combines dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Healthcare providers are not exactly sure why the combination of drugs helps reduce the symptoms of ADHD, but they do know that the drug causes physical changes in the brain such as narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction), potentially raising blood pressure, and other cardiovascular effects. Cardiovascular disease is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction.
Changes to a person’s sex drive or ability to perform sexually are widely acknowledged side effects of Adderall.
Causes and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction
Not everyone on Adderall experiences ED. Some people report that taking Adderall increases their sex drive. Increased sex drive is a known side effect of other amphetamines, including those that are used illicitly.
A 2015 study of more than 1,300 men between the ages of 18 and 57 showed that people who used Adderall were more than twice as likely to experience ED. The study found that 29.3% of Adderall users had experienced ED, compared with 11.9% of people who did not use Adderall.
However, the study was done with people who used Adderall without a prescription; the rates might be lower in people who use the medication as prescribed.
Never Take Adderall Without a PrescriptionAdderall has the potential for abuse. It is dangerous to take Adderall without a prescription. The drug can interact with other medications and supplements and can cause sudden, severe cardiac conditions.Adderall should be used only as prescribed under the care of a healthcare provider.
Never Take Adderall Without a Prescription
Adderall has the potential for abuse. It is dangerous to take Adderall without a prescription. The drug can interact with other medications and supplements and can cause sudden, severe cardiac conditions.Adderall should be used only as prescribed under the care of a healthcare provider.
Additional Adderall Sexual Side Effects
People who experience Adderall erectile dysfunction may have other sexual side effects as well, such as decreased interest in sex. Some people find that when they first start taking Adderall, their sex drive goes up, only to drop the longer they are on the medication.
Sexual side effects can also occur in people who take Adderall and do not have a penis. Women have been noted to experience decreased libido with Adderall.However, the research on Adderall’s effects on female libido is limited, and stimulants' effects can vary from person to person. There is potential for loss of libido in men who take Adderall as well.
Some of the other potential side effects, such as headache, nervousness, and more painful periods, can also decrease a person’s sex drive.
Other common side effects of Adderall that are not specifically sexual, such as moodiness, headache, and constipation, can also make a person feel less like having sex.
When a person experiences Adderall erectile dysfunction, it also affects their sexual partners. It’s important to talk with your partner(s) about how your medication is contributing to ED. You might want to explore nonpenetrative sexual activities together.
Other Side Effects of Adderall in Adults
In addition to ED, people taking Adderall may experience other side effects.
Commonly reported side effects of Adderall include:
If you’re taking Adderall and the side effects are interfering with your life, talk to your healthcare provider. You might be able to lower your dose, change to a different medication, or find strategies to cope with the side effects.
Managing Side Effects of ADHD Medications
Managing the Sexual Side Effects of Adderall
If you experience ED while taking Adderall, talk with your healthcare provider. While you might feel embarrassed about the symptom, it’s important to get help if sex is part of your overall sense of well-being.
Your healthcare provider might say it’s fine to lower your Adderall dose or consider switching you to a different medication to manage your symptoms. They might also suggest that you try taking a medication that treats ED, such asViagraor Cialis.
Never stop taking Adderall suddenly.Before you reduce or stop your dose, talk to your healthcare provider.
It’s also important to talk about managing your ED with the person you are having sex with. Keep in mind that penetration is not the only sexual activity that you can participate in. Engaging in more foreplay and mutual masturbation may help you maintain an erection longer and can help ensure that you and your partner are satisfied.
Coping With Erectile Dysfunction
Summary
Erectile dysfunction and other sexual symptoms can occur for many reasons, including age, medical conditions, and the use of substances or medications—one of which is Adderall. In addition to being associated with ED in younger people with a penis, some of the other side effects of Adderall can contribute to reduced interest in sex.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Adderall.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Skårner A, Svensson B.Amphetamine use and sexual practices.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2013;30(5):403-423. doi:10.2478/nsad-2013-0035Chou NH, Huang YJ, Jiann BP.The Impact of Illicit Use of Amphetamine on Male Sexual Functions.J Sex Med. 2015;12(8):1694-1702. doi:10.1111/jsm.12926Smith TE, Martel MM, DeSantis AD.Subjective report of side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use in young adults.Subst Use Misuse. 2017;52(4):548-552. doi:10.1080/10826084.2016.1240694
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Adderall.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Skårner A, Svensson B.Amphetamine use and sexual practices.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2013;30(5):403-423. doi:10.2478/nsad-2013-0035Chou NH, Huang YJ, Jiann BP.The Impact of Illicit Use of Amphetamine on Male Sexual Functions.J Sex Med. 2015;12(8):1694-1702. doi:10.1111/jsm.12926Smith TE, Martel MM, DeSantis AD.Subjective report of side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use in young adults.Subst Use Misuse. 2017;52(4):548-552. doi:10.1080/10826084.2016.1240694
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Adderall.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Skårner A, Svensson B.Amphetamine use and sexual practices.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2013;30(5):403-423. doi:10.2478/nsad-2013-0035Chou NH, Huang YJ, Jiann BP.The Impact of Illicit Use of Amphetamine on Male Sexual Functions.J Sex Med. 2015;12(8):1694-1702. doi:10.1111/jsm.12926Smith TE, Martel MM, DeSantis AD.Subjective report of side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use in young adults.Subst Use Misuse. 2017;52(4):548-552. doi:10.1080/10826084.2016.1240694
Food and Drug Administration.Adderall.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Skårner A, Svensson B.Amphetamine use and sexual practices.Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. 2013;30(5):403-423. doi:10.2478/nsad-2013-0035
Chou NH, Huang YJ, Jiann BP.The Impact of Illicit Use of Amphetamine on Male Sexual Functions.J Sex Med. 2015;12(8):1694-1702. doi:10.1111/jsm.12926
Smith TE, Martel MM, DeSantis AD.Subjective report of side effects of prescribed and nonprescribed psychostimulant use in young adults.Subst Use Misuse. 2017;52(4):548-552. doi:10.1080/10826084.2016.1240694
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