Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Sertraline and sex drive (TW self-harm)

3 replies

Disinterestedx · 04/10/2022 21:18

Hi everyone,

Not really sure where to post this! 🤷🏽‍♀️

I have a history of pretty severe although high-functioning depression and have found that sertraline keeps me stable (it could be a placebo effect, but nevertheless it works). Before taking it, I would have suicidal thoughts every day, and several years ago I ended up in ICU following a suicide attempt. However, for the past year, I’ve been really well mentally - with suicidal thoughts being non-existent.

Now I think I’ve established a connection between sertraline and my sex drive. I used to be a very sexual person with a high sex drive, but now I literally feel nothing. Sex actively repulses me now, and it makes it hard with my boyfriend who has a very high sex drive. I actually feel frustrated and exasperated at the prospect of having sex. So, I decided to slowly ween myself off the sertraline, taking one every other day. However, my mood has already notably deteriorated. I’m at a loss as to what to do! It seems like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.

OP posts:
LetsPlayShadowlands · 04/10/2022 21:52

I'm in the same situation. I've taken it for 3 or 4 years and it really pulled me out of a dark depr3ssion. But since, my sex drive has taken a nose dive. I feel like an awful partner! But it is just as you describe.

What dose are you on? I lowered myself down from 150 to 100 a year ago. Didn't affect my mood thankfully but no improvement in sex drive either. I feel like I need to retrain myself to want it if that's possible!

Disinterestedx · 04/10/2022 22:09

@LetsPlayShadowlands I’m sorry to hear that - it’s really tough! It’s nice to know that there are other people in this boat though. I’ve been taking 50mg for about 18 months but I’m still finding it really hard to come off them without a significant deterioration in my mood.

OP posts:
The6thQueen · 04/10/2022 22:14

Advice I was given was to take them as far away from when you want to have sex as possible. So if you tend to DTD have them early in the morning; reduces the effects somewhat when you have sex.
I also take maca root which has some links to improved sex drive - the research is still mixed and more controlled studies are needed, but it anecdotally works for me if that helps!
From a personal perspective I also found doing other things to help
me get in the mood, like massages etc. helped too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page