Objectives The existing study compares the chance of sexual discomfort in

Objectives The existing study compares the chance of sexual discomfort in depressed female patients in remission between those who were treated with Escitalopram and Fluoxetine. was assessed using the Pain subscale of Malay Version MK-5108 of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI). Results The results show that risk of sexual pain was relatively low (16.07% for all those patients) with no statistical significant between the two groups MK-5108 (17.86% for fluoxetine MK-5108 group 14.29% for escitalopram group). Older age (adjusted odds ratio = 1.524 95 CI = 1.199 1.938 was the only factor significantly associated with sexual pain disorder. Conclusions There should not be any barrier when continuing the use of escitalopram or fluoxetine as antidepressants amongst the female patients. Keywords: sexual pain fluoxetine escitalopram depressive disorder female Introduction Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is usually a heterogeneous multisystemic and multidimensional medical problem that comprises both biological and psychosocial components. In America the prevalence of this condition among the women is 30-50% and it is found to be age-related and progressive.1 The Sexual MK-5108 Function Health Council of the American Foundation which convened the American Foundation of Urologic Disease (AFUD) Consensus Panel has further classified the FSD into Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder Sexual Aversion Disorder Sexual Arousal Disorder Orgasmic Disorder and Sexual Pain Disorders.2 Sexual pain disorders are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual MK-5108 of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as either dyspareunia or vaginismus. Dyspareunia is usually defined by the DSM-IV-TR as ‘‘(A) Recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse in either a male or a female; (B) The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty; (C) The disturbance is not caused exclusively by vaginismus or lack of lubrication is not better accounted for by another Axis I disorder (except another Sexual Dysfunction) and is BRAF1 not due exclusively to the direct physiological effects of a material (e.g. a drug of abuse a medication) or a general medical condition’’. Vaginismus is usually defined by the DSM-IV-TR as ‘‘(A) Recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual intercourse; (B) The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty; (C) The disturbance is not better accounted for by another Axis I disorder (e.g. Somatization Disorder) and is not due exclusively to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition’’.3 Sexual pain disorder which is the most frustrating sexual dysfunction has the most unfavorable psychological impact on the relationships such as for example having dread for sex and avoidance of sex.4 Decrease in sexual fulfillment can therefore network marketing leads to a standard reduced amount of well-being and general happiness in females.5 Josie Butcher has further classified sexual suffering into primary when the suffering occurs during sex; or supplementary when it takes place over time of pain free of charge intercourse.4 In the medication viewpoint we go through the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) since it is the initial line treatment for most psychiatric disorders such as for example main depressive disorder panic personality disorder yet others. SSRI is known as safe and affordable but with frustrating side effects one of these being intimate dysfunction. It isn’t grasped why SSRI generate intimate side-effects however many studies shows that activation from the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2) receptor impairs intimate functioning MK-5108 and arousal from the 5-HT1A receptor facilitates intimate functioning.6 Many reports and theories possess attempted to explore the roles of neurotransmitters and hormones in preserving normal sexual function nevertheless the precise actions and aetiologies should never be fully understood. In 2005 Berman categorized the aetiologies of intimate pain disorders into vasculogenic neurogenic hormonal musculogenic and psychogenic components. But often the aetiologies may be multifactorial and at times overlapping.1 In Malaysia the whole area of sexual.