Sexual Dysfunction from Antidepressants

[SwinginDick7x6]

Has anyone else experienced negative sexual side effects from the drug Cymbalta? (generic: Duloxetine) It was prescribed to me for chronic pain from a back injury. I stopped getting morning wood, and had trouble maintaining EQ. Never an issue at all before. The first time I came while on Cymbalta it felt BAD. Not painful, but awful, sickening, and wrong, the utter opposite of how an orgasm normally feels! I had only been taking it for a couple days. Immediately flushed them, grateful at least that my doctor gave me free sample packs when I didn't have insurance. I researched further and discovered some studies that showed long-term use can permanently prevent orgasm!
If you've been prescribed any antidepressants and want to reconsider that as part of your depression/chronic pain coping program, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before changing or stopping dosing schedules. Sudden disuse can be FATAL. Especially if you're taking more than one. My Ex was on four different ones at once and it took her about seven months to wean herself off of them.

 

[playklax01]

I avoid all SSRIs, for multiple reasons, but with one being what you said above. I was on Paxil years ago and while I struggled to gain an erection, it took forever to get off. And when I did it was not as it was before, the sensations were much lessened and did not feel the same at all.

 

[F_Man]

I started Citalopram - it belongs to SSRIs - two weeks ago, for anxiety caused by my recent/current health issues. I'm taking the mildest pills, 10mg when it's also available in 20mg and 40mg pills. After a week's use my dick and balls feel numb, as if they didn't exist at all. I can get an erection but not so easily, but am not able to orgasm at all. Quite a drastic change when I'm used to 5-8 orgasms a week. I just read a medical report that the numbness is quite common when using SSRIs, and it can also become an extended and even a permanent problem after stopping to take the meds. I'll call my doc to see about quitting the pills, as my main health concern got otherwise fixed and the most important reason for my anxieties no longer exists.

 

[deleted690810]

I have been on MANY antidepressants over the years and almost all of them have caused erectile dysfunction issues. Some of them I just couldn’t get it up. Some of them I could get it up but never be able to cum. And some I had the experience you described where it just didn’t feel good when I came. I finally found one that hasn’t caused me any issues at all. (It begins with an L but I can’t remember the name right now.)
A number of years ago I was taking an antidepressant and got pissed off at a side affect it was causing. So I decided to just stop taking it. Bad idea! Three days later I was at work and just started sobbing uncontrollably. I had to be off work for a week. So don’t suddenly stop taking those meds!

 

[SilentMajority]

I've been on Sertraline for quite some time (15+ years) and without a doubt can tell you it's had a negative affect my 'finishing.' Sometimes it seems like I'll never cum. Doctors have been less than enthusiastic about changing my meds, even though I've complained about the side effects. Maybe since I've been on it so long, and perhaps they are affected by my age (67) and think I'm past my prime. ( I am but, I'm not dead).

 

[deleted18278]

My wife has been on an SSRI for 40 yrs. Her sex drive is in the toilet. Finally, after years, I convinced her to start weaning of.

What often happens trying to get off long term SSRI use is that the Dr weans faster than the body can adjust. Massive withdrawal symptoms occur, when the person is desperate and vulnerable they go back to the Dr, who conflates withdrawal symptoms with a worsening underlying mental illness and restores the original medication then adds more on top. The patient being in bad shape accepts it and ends up even further in the hole. A great resource is the Withdrawal Project, a patient and health professional created non-profit resource providing support and methods that have worked to successfully wean off. https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/

 

[SwinginDick7x6]

My wife has been on an SSRI for 40 yrs. Her sex drive is in the toilet. Finally, after years, I convinced her to start weaning of.

What often happens trying to get off long term SSRI use is that the Dr weans faster than the body can adjust. Massive withdrawal symptoms occur, when the person is desperate and vulnerable they go back to the Dr, who conflates withdrawal symptoms with a worsening underlying mental illness and restores the original medication then adds more on top. The patient being in bad shape accepts it and ends up even further in the hole. A great resource is the Withdrawal Project, a patient and health professional created non-profit resource providing support and methods that have worked to successfully wean off. https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/

Thanks for the link!

 

[Curious65]

Has anyone else experienced negative sexual side effects from the drug Cymbalta? (generic: Duloxetine) It was prescribed to me for chronic pain from a back injury. I stopped getting morning wood, and had trouble maintaining EQ. Never an issue at all before. The first time I came while on Cymbalta it felt BAD. Not painful, but awful, sickening, and wrong, the utter opposite of how an orgasm normally feels! I had only been taking it for a couple days. Immediately flushed them, grateful at least that my doctor gave me free sample packs when I didn't have insurance. I researched further and discovered some studies that showed long-term use can permanently prevent orgasm!
If you've been prescribed any antidepressants and want to reconsider that as part of your depression/chronic pain coping program, CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before changing or stopping dosing schedules. Sudden disuse can be FATAL. Especially if you're taking more than one. My Ex was on four different ones at once and it took her about seven months to wean herself off of them.

Swinging: I'm 57 and have been on Lexapro for over 20 years. My doc and I and then a psychiatrist tried a variety of meds and combination of meds to address pretty intense anxiety. A low dose of Lexapro was enough to keep the boogie man locked in the closet most days and when younger the side effects were manageable. Delayed ejaculation was a constant but the length of the delay varied. Probably had to do with how horny I was and how long between organisms. There were occasions when I would lose my erection, but most of the time my cock worked as it should. Fast forward to the last few years and the addition of cholesterol and blood pressure medication and my dick died. My libido dropped significantly. I was only able to cum with pretty INTENSE masturbation and a lot of porn.

I'm planning to start titrating off the Lexapro in a couple months when work slows and then start on medical marijuana. I've done the evaluation and have paid my fees and am waiting for the card.

I recently started talking Roman Prostate Health with Pygeum and I woke up on day 7 ready to rip my wife's pajamas off. I was legitimately horny and precum was leaking out of me like NEVER before. Now about three weeks into the supplement and I still have that wonderful buzzing horniness in my balls throughout the day. Cumming and maintaining a hard cock are still a concern that I hope will improve once I go off the Lexapro. I'm making pre cum like crazy, for me anyway

Be well, brother. Happy to chat more if you want.

 

[Kimahri]

I've had all kinds of pills thrown at me for depression (or bipolar or ADHD...they can't make up their minds) and most killed the enjoyment of sex for me.

I recently found a great alternative that doesn't use medications. TMS therapy. Look it up...it's kind of weird feeling and pricey if you don't have insurance

 

[BluSnoBear]

I've been on Sertraline for quite some time (15+ years) and without a doubt can tell you it's had a negative affect my 'finishing.' Sometimes it seems like I'll never cum. Doctors have been less than enthusiastic about changing my meds, even though I've complained about the side effects. Maybe since I've been on it so long, and perhaps they are affected by my age (67) and think I'm past my prime. ( I am but, I'm not dead).

Same. Sertraline had me going, and going, and going, with no ending in sight... after 2 weeks, I titrated off because of the no orgasming side effect.

Turns out, I was extremely low T, and that's why nothing was touching my depression and mood swings.

 

[Curious65]

Same. Sertraline had me going, and going, and going, with no ending in sight... after 2 weeks, I titrated off because of the no orgasming side effect.

Turns out, I was extremely low T, and that's why nothing was touching my depression and mood swings.

Hormones are a bitch. I've been treating low T for about a decade.and the typical local docs look at all this in a very black and white way. I've been fortunate to find a functional medical doctor who gets it and tests often and gives me latitude to tweak things based on how I feel as long as I stay within certain parameters.

I've been on Lexapro for at least 20 years to address anxiety and the delayed and sometime absent orgasm was... tolerable. Adding Lipitor and Lisinopril to the mix has been a dick and libido killer. Adding Roman Prostate Health with Pygeum has helped a lot, but I just received my medical marijuana card and hope to replace the Lexapro to help me in the dick department. Also working on dropping some weight and exercising more to get off that god awful Lipitor.

 

[F_Man]

I started Citalopram - it belongs to SSRIs - two weeks ago, for anxiety caused by my recent/current health issues. I'm taking the mildest pills, 10mg when it's also available in 20mg and 40mg pills. After a week's use my dick and balls feel numb, as if they didn't exist at all. I can get an erection but not so easily, but am not able to orgasm at all. Quite a drastic change when I'm used to 5-8 orgasms a week. I just read a medical report that the numbness is quite common when using SSRIs, and it can also become an extended and even a permanent problem after stopping to take the meds. I'll call my doc to see about quitting the pills, as my main health concern got otherwise fixed and the most important reason for my anxieties no longer exists.

As my general and mental health are improving, I quit the Citalopram after 3 weeks, cutting the mild pills in half for three days and then none. Numbness in the genitals disappeared in 6-7 days, and ability to orgasm returned in 8 days. Quite an experiment.

 

[Curious65]

As my general and mental health are improving, I quit the Citalopram after 3 weeks, cutting the mild pills in half for three days and then none. Numbness in the genitals disappeared in 6-7 days, and ability to orgasm returned in 8 days. Quite an experiment.

Glad to hear that numbness gone. Most especially glad that your health is improving.

 

[NYC8"]

Zoloft is frightening like that. Everything is going as normal until the moment of climax. You can feel it's ABOUT to happen, but instead of that electric tingling surge that pushes you over the edge, it's like the plug gets pulled out and everything instantly stops. You lose all sensation and excitement and sit there watching your dick rapidly shrink to the smallest you've ever seen it. The first time I saw that happen I actually let some sound out, not exactly screaming but definitely audible. Fortunately I had only been on for like 2 days so I was able to wean myself off very quickly.

In my experience the only sexually "safe" antidepressant is Wellbutrin (buproprion).

 

[SmallDguy]

I suffer from mental problems too. One thing I found works occasionally, especially with ED, is Marijuana. Seriously, I get all in my head with my size that I get really depressed. Marijuana helps me relax alooot. Its unorthodox for many as it may cause it ED because of paranoia but for me it gets rid of depression and makes me super horny. My mind goes wild. It loses it's magic after 3 or 4 days going day after day but I like to use it on the day I know I'm going to get laid. I'm single so it works out. I also take certain natural supplements that enhance the experience. It's wonderful. Good luck.

 

[Evenflow618]

Don’t take any pharmacy crap

 

[Curious65]

I suffer from mental problems too. One thing I found works occasionally, especially with ED, is Marijuana. Seriously, I get all in my head with my size that I get really depressed. Marijuana helps me relax alooot. Its unorthodox for many as it may cause it ED because of paranoia but for me it gets rid of depression and makes me super horny. My mind goes wild. It loses it's magic after 3 or 4 days going day after day but I like to use it on the day I know I'm going to get laid. I'm single so it works out. I also take certain natural supplements that enhance the experience. It's wonderful. Good luck.

I just got my medical marijuana card and picked up my first prescription recently. I plan to start weening myself off the Lexapro this week.

I hope I have success!!!

 

[SmallDguy]

I just got my medical marijuana card and picked up my first prescription recently. I plan to start weening myself off the Lexapro this week.
oyoy
I hope I have success!!!

I hope so too. I would take it easy with edibles though they are quite strong. Best of luck and most of all enjoy and have fun.

 

[Curious65]

I hope so too. I would take it easy with edibles though they are quite strong. Best of luck and most of all enjoy and have fun.

Thanks!!! I'm going to do a tincture. I don't want to be stoned, so I do plan to start very conservatively with the dose.

I'm planning to overlap with marijuana with the Lexapro when I'm about half way through the process of getting off the medication.

 

[SilentMajority]

Be very careful weaning off of any antidepressant. Research it to do so safely and preferably with the advice of a doctor. You can easily end up with a worse case of depression than u started with.