Husband on antidepressants - low sex drive but still masturbates

[throwingthings]

Hi - looking for others' experiences really.

My husband started taking sertraline around 1.5 months ago. We haven't had sex since he started these. He says the reason is low sex drive but that he is still attracted to me he just doesn't fancy having sex atm.

However he has just told me quite casually this evening that he still masturbates regularly.

This has left me feeling a little bit rejected and confused. I was wondering what other people's experiences in similar situations taking medication such as sertraline have been - surely if you have low sex drive you then aren't going to masturbate!!??

Hey OP, I have (currently) a low sex drive due to depression but still masturbate. It fulfils a different purpose for me - more of a physical release (and something distracting to do) than shared intimacy with the person I love. Can't speak to your husband's condition, but that's how it works for me at least.

Thank you - that is really helpful and reassuring to hear

Two completely different and separate things. Masturbation is a quick, easy release. You don’t have to do much physically, you don’t have to make an effort / worry about someone else etc.

When I’m going through one of my anxious and deon phases then I find that I have no interest in sex with my DH. I love cuddles - it makes me feel safe, but anything more is just another demand on my emotional energy.
Masturbation would be a different thing.

@throwingthings hello - I’m going through a very similar situation with my husband at the moment and I wondered if things improved for you? Did his sex drive come back while still on the medication?x