antidepressants and your penis.

Sandalguy

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I had never heard of the food restrictions for MAOIs. Luckily I'm not considering that class of drugs. I too had a similar issue with SSRIs with delayed ejaculation. Didn't bother me too much since I'm a quick shooter so I enjoyed it. But it did feel odd and more desensitized. Sounds like TCAs might be the best and start with a very low dose.

I agree with you about starting TCAs with a low dose which will hopefully minimise side-effects. These take a while to kick in, but they (Dosulepin) worked very well for me. Examples of MAOI food information here: https://www.verywell.com/foods-to-avoid-when-taking-maois-4136871
 

biguncut8

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A dozen years ago took cipralex (lexapro) which didn't help the depression and then effexor. both SSRIs. Definitely major sexual dysfunctions. I called them the Trio of Sexual Dysfunctions:
1) No sex drive whatsoever
2) If by some chance i was in the mood, i couldn't get it up (eventually started cialis after the depression)
3) If by some miracle the first two obstacles were overcome, then it was still impossible to cum, as others pointed out. Tho that did not get any complaints from my sexual partners! :p

Having said that, major clinical depression can cause loss of libido in itself, so there's that!
 
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A dozen years ago took cipralex (lexapro) which didn't help the depression and then effexor. both SSRIs. Definitely major sexual dysfunctions. I called them the Trio of Sexual Dysfunctions:
1) No sex drive whatsoever
2) If by some chance i was in the mood, i couldn't get it up (eventually started cialis after the depression)
3) If by some miracle the first two obstacles were overcome, then it was still impossible to cum, as others pointed out. Tho that did not get any complaints from my sexual partners! :p

Having said that, major clinical depression can cause loss of libido in itself, so there's that!
Yes...having depression in general does cause loss of libido. I also have Crohn's disease (digestive auto immune issue) and there are studies that some of these anti-d's can help. So whatever I take will be a VERY LOW dose. Not taken for depression but for Crohns. But that said..I dont want to throw away my sexual life either. All tough. Still seems like TCAs or Wellbutrin are the ones with the least erection issues.

I was looking more at the Tricyclic Anti-D (Pamelor) Nortriptyline. Hoping maybe that is a good one.
 
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Although my doc said I would have total ED with the one I was prescribed several years back it didn't effect me that way. Libido was still good, erections were good, but the orgasms felt pretty strange, as well as delayed. Seemed like when I felt the orgasm and when the cum would ejaculate seemed like out of sync.
 

palakaorion

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I was looking more at the Tricyclic Anti-D (Pamelor) Nortriptyline. Hoping maybe that is a good one.
I had good results with Panel of. Only side effect was weight gain due to appetite enhancement. Weight came off easily after treatment ended. No sexual side effects. YMMV.
 
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deleted1025121

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Although my doc said I would have total ED with the one I was prescribed several years back it didn't effect me that way. Libido was still good, erections were good, but the orgasms felt pretty strange, as well as delayed. Seemed like when I felt the orgasm and when the cum would ejaculate seemed like out of sync.
I assumed you stopped the medication because of that then? I bet it was one of the SSRI meds. I took Effexor for a short time and it kept me hard for hours. But it never let me sleep because I had so much energy. I could workout all night long on that med.
 
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I'm curious if any of you guys are taking any antidepressants that increase your libido or help you maintain a firmer erection...or even last longer. I want to start one and I'd like to have some first hand knowledge before I speak with a doctor and not destroy my sex life.
I hate to burst your bubble but I’ve been on anti depressants recently and as a side effect it’s basically impossible to get off. The official side effects include “decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm” : unamused:
 
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I hate to burst your bubble but I’ve been on anti depressants recently and as a side effect it’s basically impossible to get off. The official side effects include “decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm” : unamused:

If it's not too personal...which one are you on? Maybe it has to do with the dosage?
 

milbud29

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Ok, as a physician who works in mental health quite a bit, I'm going to weigh in here. most of my patients are younger (20s) and do fine on SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa etc) which are considered first-line meds for depression and anxiety given their efficacy and generally well-tolerated side effect profile. In general, young people have enough of a sex drive that the SSRI effect doesn't dampen it too much. That being said, it IS known that suppressing libido CAN happen with that class, so those of us who work with older populations often reach for wellbutrin first (buproprion is the generic name) if that is a concern for the patient or seems to be a side effect they are experiencing. Wellbutrin is an 'SNRI' so related, but slightly different. As others have mentioned, has indications for depression, smoking cessation, and ADHD. Less helpful for anxiety typically as it is considered a bit more 'activating' which is usually not helpful if you are already on edge and anxious. Anyway, talk with your provider about your concerns...but if you want to walk in with a particular med in mind, feel free to ask about wellbutrin as it may be a good choice for you. MAO Inhibitors have way too many side effects and food interactions that they are sort of bottom of the barrel for use and I don't know any psychiatrists or primary care folks who would use those with the options today. TCAs also have fallen out of favor given their 'messier' side effect profile, although sometimes we use them at lower doses. Hope that helps!
 
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deleted1025121

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Ok, as a physician who works in mental health quite a bit, I'm going to weigh in here. most of my patients are younger (20s) and do fine on SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa etc) which are considered first-line meds for depression and anxiety given their efficacy and generally well-tolerated side effect profile. In general, young people have enough of a sex drive that the SSRI effect doesn't dampen it too much. That being said, it IS known that suppressing libido CAN happen with that class, so those of us who work with older populations often reach for wellbutrin first (buproprion is the generic name) if that is a concern for the patient or seems to be a side effect they are experiencing. Wellbutrin is an 'SNRI' so related, but slightly different. As others have mentioned, has indications for depression, smoking cessation, and ADHD. Less helpful for anxiety typically as it is considered a bit more 'activating' which is usually not helpful if you are already on edge and anxious. Anyway, talk with your provider about your concerns...but if you want to walk in with a particular med in mind, feel free to ask about wellbutrin as it may be a good choice for you. MAO Inhibitors have way too many side effects and food interactions that they are sort of bottom of the barrel for use and I don't know any psychiatrists or primary care folks who would use those with the options today. TCAs also have fallen out of favor given their 'messier' side effect profile, although sometimes we use them at lower doses. Hope that helps!

Thank you for that helpful insight. Makes a lot of sense about younger population and SSRIs. And I agree, I wouldn't touch MAOs.

I'll be a bit more specific. I have IBS-D which for 10 years doctors haven't been able to determine if I fall into the IBD Crohn's/Colitis category or just really bad IBS. That said, I tried Elavil (TCA) years ago without any improvement and some heart palpitation side effects. Tried quite a few SSRIs to no avail and even worse side effects for me. But now going back and reviewing, I never tried Pamelor (nortriptyline) which I've heard isn't a bad option for my condition and might have the off-label side effects that could help me. But I'm worried about ED from the older class of drugs. But you are correct, the other choice I think is Wellbutrin as you mentioned. I see my psychiatric medicine management doctor Jan 8th...so I will see what she says.
 

milbud29

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I have seen a handful of patients on nortriptyline for GI-related issues but NOT specifically for mood. However, if you get a side mood benefit, great! That does seem to work for some patients in similar shoes as yours. I think it would be reasonable to discuss either of those options with your MH provider at the next visit. Good luck!
 
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Never heard of that before to treat ED issues. I guess as long as its working. I need something to up my libido. I have just lost all desire. I'm not even on the Pamelor anymore.
 

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In the past ive been on anti depressants and it does take a lot longer to get hard,but when you do,you could be going for a long time and still not come, the main thing is to sort yourself out mentally first,rather than the side effects
 
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In the past ive been on anti depressants and it does take a lot longer to get hard,but when you do,you could be going for a long time and still not come, the main thing is to sort yourself out mentally first,rather than the side effects
OH I agree with you. I'm not doing it for mental reasons. I have Crohn's disease and low-dose anti-depressants are often a course of action for people with digestive disorders. (the brain/gut connection). I just get discouraged with the sexual side effects. Like the nortriptyline i could still get hard and ejaculate...but it kind of felt forced and not as enjoyable. More like a dribble than strong shots of cum. It was just strange. Or delayed ejaculation. So I have to just find the right one I guess.
 

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I used to take a variety of medications for depression/ADHD and the last one was Adderall XR. Granted this was about 15 years ago, but it made it difficult for me to get an erection and cum. I could still get hard, but it took longer to do so, like it dulled the response. I stopped taking them by my own volition and could not be happier.
 
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Well I'm a quick shooter. Guess I have a form of premature ejaculation...so a delayed response would be nice for me. But I dont want to lose all sensation or dulling the response. Tough choice. Guess there is no miracle drug or cure for it.
 

iluvmen

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Hi guys.

I wanna hear about your experiences and advices.

I got a bad bad Covid last winter which turned into long Covid and I started having panic attacks, I could not even get hard or think about sex, since I was ill for a couple of months. I was deeply depressed and starting taking Citalopram (20 mg) at the end of January. Took it for 6 months, tapered of for 3 weeks and I'm completely off the drug for a week now.

However, the numbness in my genitals, the low-quality or sometimes totally absent morning woods and low libido continue.

I still have to stimulate myself manually to get erect.

Is this normal? How long will it take for me to get back to normal? I'm worried.