Before resorting to medication or hormones to treat sexual problems, you and your doctor should first consider whether the problem stems from an underlying disorder or a medication you take. In some cases your doctor could ease or eliminate the problem by changing the prescription or treating the disorder.

Note that some side effects listed here may be only theoretical, particularly in women, or based on limited evidence, and that the list may not be complete. If you experience a sexual side effect soon after starting any new medication, ask your doctor if the drug could be contributing to the problem. Note that many of the brand-name drugs listed below are also available as generics.