Careful, Women! Is Orgasm Worth the Cost of Your Cerebellum? Flibanserin-Induced Cerebellar Dysfunction

Abstract

IntroductionFlibanserin, a serotonin antagonist currently indicated for treatment of female sexual dysfunction disorder, has not heretofore been described to worsen cerebellar function. Such a case is presented.MethodsA 60-year-old woman, 8 months prior to presentation, had an acute onset of fainting and hitting her head into a wall without loss of consciousness. She could not stand up, had left-sided weakness, and vomiting, with garbled, slow speech and severe headache. Findings in the emergency room showed a left cerebellar parenchymal hemorrhage of 3.2 x 3.1 x 2 cm with the epicenter at the dentate nucleus, extending medially towards midline into the cerebellar vermis, with surrounding perilesional edema extending into the middle cerebellar peduncle. Also, 5.2 cm of the hemorrhage extended from the petrous of the tentorium to the cerebellar vermis. Moreover, a ventral left thalamic hemorrhage with subependymal clot at the foramen of Monroe extended into the dependent portion of lateral ventricles without midline shift. Post one month of physical therapy, speech, walking, and coordination improved but she continued to have delayed speech and trouble getting up, with a wide stance.ResultsNeurologic Examination: Cranial Nerve (CN) Examination: CN XI: Sternocleidomastoid hypertrophy, horizontal titubation. Motor examination: Drift test: L pronator drift with L abductor digiti mini sign. Gait examination: heel walking, dystonic posture of L hand. Tandem gait: unstable, wide based. Cerebellar examination: Both (B) finger-to-nose dysmetria, Left > Right. Slow rapid alternating movements (RAM) L Upper Extremity (UE). Due to absent sexual desire she started 100 mg of flibanserin nightly. Maintaining this for 5 weeks, her coordination markedly worsened with poor balance and a need for a cane to ambulate. She would stumble, with a wider gait, and found climbing stairs challenging. Physical examination displayed worse cerebellar function: prominent horizontal titubation. Finger-to-nose—dysmetria L>R. Decreased RAM, L UE. Markedly positive Holmes Rebound phenomenon, Bilateral UE. Tandem gait: unstable. A week post stopping flibanserin, gait and cerebellar examination returned to baseline.DiscussionThe temporal correlation between the use of flibanserin and transient worsening of cerebellar function strongly suggests that this is the causative agent. Since serotonin is essential in cerebellar function, including its action on the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei, it strongly suggests that its action as a serotonin antagonist is the mechanism whereby flibanserin is causing cerebellar symptoms. In those on flibanserin, investigation to detect the presence of cerebellar dysfunction is warranted. Assessment for the presence of cerebellar dysfunction in those who are on anti-serotonin drugs, such as cyproheptadine and methysergide, may be worthwhile.FundingNo Funding