If you take spironolactone for acne, hair loss, or unwanted facial hair, you may have wondered whether it can affect your sex drive. In this video, dermatologist Dr. Dray takes a closer look at what we actually know about spironolactone, antiandrogens, and libido in women, including what the research tells us and where the evidence is still limited.
Spironolactone is a commonly used antiandrogen in dermatology, particularly for adult female acne. While decreased libido is a recognized potential side effect, studies have not given us a reliable estimate of how frequently this occurs in women. Libido is also influenced by many factors beyond testosterone and androgen signaling, including stress, sleep, medications, relationships, pain, vaginal dryness, menopause, and overall health.
We also discuss newer research that examined sexual dysfunction diagnoses among hundreds of thousands of premenopausal women with acne. Interestingly, this observational study did not find an increased rate of coded sexual dysfunction among spironolactone users. However, this does not prove that spironolactone improves libido or that it cannot cause sexual side effects. The study relied on medical coding and highlights the need for prospective research using validated measures of sexual function.
This video also covers dose-related side effects of spironolactone, potassium and medication interactions, menstrual changes, breast tenderness, pregnancy considerations, finasteride, dutasteride, and testosterone therapy in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Most importantly, if you notice a meaningful change in libido after starting spironolactone or another antiandrogen, it is worth discussing with your doctor. You should not have to choose between treating your skin or hair concerns and maintaining your overall quality of life.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Can spironolactone lower libido in women?
0:22 What exactly is spironolactone doing?
3:53 Why is spironolactone so useful for adult female acne?
4:59 Can spironolactone lower libido?
8:47 Libido is much more complicated than testosterone
9:34 What the new research tells us
10:32 Spironolactone and menopause
11:54 Newer data on spironolactone and sexual dysfunction
14:00 Does the dose matter?
14:51 Other spironolactone side effects
17:06 Spironolactone and birth control
18:24 What about finasteride and dutasteride?
19:51 What about testosterone therapy?
21:27 The bottom line
Important: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of a prescription medication without discussing it with your healthcare professional.
#spironolactone #acne #libido #womenshealth #antiandrogen #dermatology #hairloss #femaleacne #menopause #skincare
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
If you take spironolactone, have you noticed any changes in your libido? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments. And remember, if you notice a change that concerns you, talk with your prescribing clinician.
Happy Wednesday Dr Dray so excited to be here love the videos have a nice day ❤️
You too!
Good morning Dr Dray ❤
Morning!
Uploading this on hump day is perfect lol
Love your floor lamp!
Been on a low dose of spiro for a few years to target my PCOS-caused acne and hair loss. It helped both. I have not noticed any issues at all with sex drive or dryness down there. Only trouble I have is sore boobs and needing to pee a lot
No change-My libido is at max after a drought (before HRT and time). I am now on HRT plus 50mg Spironolactone.
Was taking Spiro for female pattern hair loss. Even the lowest dose triggered my hormonal migraines.
Happy Wednesday! A lot of great information, thank you!❤
This came out at the perfect time, I’m about to start 100mg Spironolactone on Friday for my acne.
50mg spironolactone worked miracles for my vicious adult acne. I know medicine is never one side fits all, but maybe ask your doctor if 50mg would be enough, at least to start with
I am 30 years old and have taken generic Yasmin birth control for a few years now. I noticed a huge decrease in my libido almost immediately upon taking it. I started 100mg Spironolactone a few weeks ago and have noticed an increase in my libido. I was very very surprised to notice this!
I am asexual and in my experience there is no change in sex drive 😂
Would appreciate more videos on growing hair after chemotherapy. Long time watcher. Appreciate all you do!
I might also check a channel like Dr. Amy – Cancer Researcher & Cancer Survivor.
I have a detaield video on that already that. Search Youtube “Dr Dray chemo hair loss”
@DrD@DrDrayzday I watched that one video that was mostly about keeping hair during chemo via cold capping. My dr recommended me NOT to cold cap so I lost it all!
I am considering oral minoxidil and pumpkin seed oil to help regrow it faster. Also wondering when my scalp will be ok to tolerate hair dye. My hair is coming back much more gray than it was before.
Thank you for addressing this. I’m 47, taking Spironolactone for years. But never made the connection.
Hi Dr Dray! Does Isotretinoin also cause lower libido?
I’ve been taking 100 mg of spironolactone daily since 2017, and it’s been a great medication for me. It cleared up my skin and I’ve tolerated it really well long-term. The only thing I’ve noticed is that if I miss it for a few days, I tend to retain more fluid and feel a little puffy. Otherwise, I’ve had a really positive experience with it.
Yes, it did that to me. I am 42 and have PCOS with high androgens, and was only on 25-50mg for a couple years. It fixed my acne, hirsutism, and hair shedding, but my libido and vaginal wetness both tanked. I also had issues with increased anxiety/depression, and nerve and muscle pain in my arms despite normal electrolyte labs. It did lower my T to the point that my doctor actually mentioned it but they insisted I stay on it, that such a low dose couldn’t be problem. I stopped taking it and every single one of those things eventually resolved.
wow this actually came up at such a perfect time. i’m at a high dosage of 125 mg, and ive definitely noticed a big difference in my libido.
I’m 43 and have been on spironolactone 50 mg for around 15 years for acne, and I’ve never had any issues with low sex drive from it.
Being on medication for acne for a few years between 25-50mg with no libido issues. I have tried to stop and acne comes right back so I guess I will be on this medicine forever 😂
Take for acne, but yes lower drive.