This article will talk about suboxone in depth but specifically on the suboxone side effects sexually. Sometimes our bodies fall sick because of many factors, such as our environment and lifestyles.
When viruses, bacteria, and other microbes enter our bodies, our cells get damaged and we begin to have signs and symptoms of infection like pain in various body parts.
In such instances, we visit a doctor to prescribe medicine or we buy pain relievers over the counter. Other times, we use opioids which are drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Some examples of opioids are Oxycontin, Vicodin, Morphine, and Methadone.
In as much as these drugs are beneficial, they can also have serious side effects and risks to our bodies.
To reverse the effects that these drugs can cause on our bodies, one is prescribed a suboxone treatment.
What is Suboxone?
Suboxone is a drug made up of buprenorphine and naloxone and is used to treat opiate addiction.
It is also administered as an alternative to methadone to ease severe symptoms of opioid withdrawals.
Further, it helps with ongoing cravings caused by heroin or other opioids.
How to Take Suboxone
This drug is taken by mouth and dissolved under the tongue.
You should note that it does not work effectively when swallowed.
Dissolving it under the tongue takes 15-30 minutes.
After it is fully dissolved it is advisable to wait for 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything.
The drug is administered in 4 stages which are;
- Induction phase- here you are assessed to determine the right dosage
- Stabilization phase- here you receive counseling and support to heal the underlying cause of addiction.
- Maintenance phase- here you continue to take the right amount of dosage while receiving counseling.
- Taper phase- here your mental health provider gradually reduces your dosage until you no longer need it.
It is also very important to note that you should not take suboxone with other depressants like alcohol, benzos, and cocaine. It could lead to unconsciousness or even death.
What does Suboxone do to you mentally?
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that Suboxone can reduce awareness of people who are sad or anxious.
It also dulls awareness of other emotions like joy or arousal.
The medication can also help manage chronic pain and manage opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Ingredients of Suboxone
Its ingredients include;
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Buprenorphine
This is the active ingredient in suboxone.
It is a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and an antagonist at the kappa receptor.
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Naloxone
This ingredient in suboxone is used as hydrochloride dehydrate in the drug.
It also counters decreased breathing in opioid overdose.
How Suboxone works
It lessens the withdrawal symptoms and helps you abstain from opiate drug use.
It also lightens the brain’s need for actual opiate drugs.
The best part is that it is long-lasting, lasting up to 3 days after being taken.
Benefits of Suboxone
Some of its benefits include the following;
- It provides a milder form of the effects produced by opioids.
- It also cannot be taken to achieve a full opioid effect; hence more challenging to abuse.
- Moreover, it contains naloxone, making it difficult for its users to snort.
- It is easily accessible, unlike methadone which must be prescribed in a specialist clinic.
- Last but not least, it has a higher success rate in treating opiate dependence.
Suboxone Side Effects Sexually
The following are suboxone side effects sexually on men;
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Erectile Dysfunction
Most of the men using suboxone have reported that the medication interferes with their ability to remain sexually active.
A study conducted shows 43% of men using the drug experienced erectile dysfunction.
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Low testosterone levels
This drug disrupts the hormonal balance leading to low testosterone levels.
This also leads to reduced interest in sex.
Low t can also lead to depression, difficulty concentrating, weight gain in men, and fatigue.
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Premature ejaculation
Some men experience difficulty in ejaculation, while others have premature ejaculation.
Behavioral modification therapy and counseling can help treat this effect. However, this can recede after treatment is over.
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Low libido
This happens because of the low testosterone levels associated with using suboxone.
One suffers the loss of sexual desire.
A study shows 92.5% of men under buprenorphine experience less sexual desire because it disrupts their hormonal balance.
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Low energy and fatigue
Suboxone activates the brain`s opioid receptors, and like all opioids, it also has the potential to cause sleepiness.
This affects your sex life by making you less sexually active.
The following are the Suboxone side effects sexually on women;
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Reduced satisfaction during sex
This happens to women primarily because of reduced lubrication, increased discomfort due to dryness, and difficulty getting an orgasm.
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Changes in the menstruation
The 2 hormones are responsible for a regular menstrual cycle. LH and FSH levels are also affected.
This causes irregularities in their menstrual period.
Women could experience shorter periods, irregular cycles, or lighter blood flow than the norm.
A study on several women under suboxone treatment revealed that most complained of irregularities and abnormal menstrual periods.
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Difficulty with orgasm
Women will experience less lubrication leading to painful sex, making it difficult to get an orgasm.
A study program on a multicenter confirms that most of the women under the drug suffer fewer orgasm side effects.
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Infertility
It becomes difficult for the woman to conceive because of the hormonal imbalance.
A study conducted shows that women under suboxone experience lower chances of conception eventually.
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Less sexual desire
The dryness caused by using suboxone makes sex for women a less desirable experience. The fatigue and other physical side effects can make it difficult to achieve sexual arousal.
Reviews
Users of suboxone have left both positive and negative reviews of using the product.
Some of the positive reviews include;
- It clears your cravings caused by opioids.
- It is easily accessible.
- Additionally, it is hard to abuse the drug.
- It relieves your pain.
- Finally, it lessens your withdrawals from opioid addiction.
In addition to the suboxone side effects sexually, there are other negative reviews of using the product.
Some of the negative reviews include;
- It is very easy to get hooked on it.
- It causes withdrawals too.
- Also, it causes constipation.
- It leads to weight gain.
Conclusion
Suboxone has helped many people reverse their addiction to opioids. Many users of suboxone have had successful treatment due to its advantages, like fewer withdrawals from their addiction, a good pain reliever, and easy access.
This medication has a far lower risk of dependency than that methadone, and its side effects are usually less severe.
However, you should use it under a doctor`s instruction to avoid any side effects, especially the discussed suboxone side effects sexually.
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