PFPC Daily - May 2, 2005

Frohlich P, Meston CM - "Fluoxetine-induced changes in tactile
sensation and sexual functioning among clinically depressed women " J
Sex Marital Ther 31(2):113-28 (2005)

Sexual side effects resulting from serotonin specific reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) use may be mediated by a number of peripheral
mechanisms, including alterations in tactile sensitivity. It was
hypothesized that sexual difficulties resulting from SSRI use arise
in part from an over-sensitivity or under-sensitivity of tactile
sensation. Tactile sensitivity was examined on the index finger and
lower lip in clinically depressed women at baseline (pre-medication),
week 1, week 4, and week 8 of drug treatment (fluoxetine group n =
12, control n = 13). Analyses indicated that fluoxetine treatment
resulted in decreased orgasm functioning. Fluoxetine-induced sexual
changes were not mediated by tactile sensation. An independent
association was found between sexual arousal functioning and finger
sensation. Novel to this study, an independent association was found
between sexual desire and finger sensation.