Lithium-induced male sexual impairment: two case reports

Two cases of male sexual dysfunction associated with lithium therapy for major affective disorder, bipolar type I, are reported. One patient received a blind placebo substitution, with rapid disappearance of dysfunction. The second patient presented similar symptoms, which remitted spontaneously on continued lithium therapy. Since lithium is among the most effective and frequently used treatments for affective illness, such side effects, previously considered rare, may be expected to increase in frequency.