Myomancy ADHD, Dyslexia and Autism

Using the Myomancy blogroll and a few other tools I trawl the internet for references to dyslexia, ADHD and everything related. Generally I find nothing of interest but its like beach combing. Amongst all the flotsam and jetsam, something useful occasionally turns up. On a recent search I came across a reference on a blog that I would not normally link to from Myomancy but because they touched on an important issue I will. Its People Having Sex, a Not Safe For Work adult blog, that was looking at Drugs & Sex. One of the drugs they mentioned was Ritalin.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is widely used both legally and illegally. It apparently causes increased or decreased sexual desire dependent on the dosage. At higher doses, it may aggravate premature ejaculation and impotence and cause anxiety

On ADHD fourms (such as ADD Forums) you often find people taking ADHD medication and talking about sexual dysfunction (such as this thread). It seems to be quite a common problem but because most studies are done on children, it isn’t well documented. See Concerta Side Effects, Ritalin Side Effects and Adderall Side Effects for more information on ADHD medication side effects.

The only work I can find on the issues is The Management of Medication-Induced Sexual Dysfunction [ PDF ] which in turn references Methylphenidate and SSRI-Induced sexual side effects. Unfortunately that study is not available online.

The effects that ADHD medication like Ritalin and Adderall have on sex drive and sexual performance is real and is highly disturbing for those it effects. It is an area where more research it definitely needed.