Drug for Restless Leg Syndrome Causes 'Risky Sex' Urges in Women

Numerous women who were prescribed medications for restless leg syndrome have complained about the side effects of the drugs which include issues such as deviant sexual behaviour and gambling addiction. The women claims that the doctors did not warn about the potential side effects of the medicine and it has led to the destruction of their life.

The drug Ropinirole, described as a “dopamine agonist” and used for treatment of movement disorders, is offered on the NHS, but the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) warns the medication has been linked to pathological gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping and hyper-sexuality. NICE is an independent public body that provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care in England. As per the reports, the women claimed that the dopamine agonist drugs have been linked to "deviant" sexual behaviour.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)—also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease—is a neurological condition that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs. It is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the legs such as aching, throbbing, pulling and creeping. Furthermore, RLS can severely interrupt sleep, making it difficult to fall asleep or return to sleep after waking up. ^[1]

The dopamine agonist medications work by mimicking the behaviour of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in our brains which helps regulate movement. Dopamine plays a significant role in how you learn and experience feelings of reward and pleasure. It is used to treat different conditions, ranging from brain-related movement disorders to endocrine problems that cause menstrual cycle disruptions.

Risks involved in dopamine agonists

While they’re very effective, there are some possible risks or complications that comes along with consumption of dopamine agonist drugs such as constipation, dizziness, headache, severe nausea and vomiting.^[2] Besides that, it affects your self-control ability leading to concerns like compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, polyphagia (extreme insatiable hunger) and so on.^[2]

Prior to the recent complaints, there have been reports of Ropinirole leading to indecent sexual behaviour among the users. Impulsive behaviours like gambling and increased sex drive are thought to affect between 6% to 17% of RLS patients. The RLS mimics the effects of the 'happy hormone', overstimulating the feeling of pleasure and alleviating the concern of consequences.

References

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2023. “Restless Legs Syndrome | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.” Www.ninds.nih.gov. Accessed on March 13, 2025. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome.

2‌. Cleveland Clinic. 2023. “Dopamine Agonists: How They Affect Your Brain.” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed on March 13, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24958-dopamine-agonists.

‌(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)