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Mental health

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Original poster

Citalopram. No sex drive. No arousal.

12 replies

desirebegone · 13/03/2007 19:45

This is a somewhat devestating side effect of taking these ADs. Otherwise they have been amazing, and my mood has been fantastic, my temper calmed, I am a far more reasonable person.

But my sex drive was never huge anyway. I have a DH who is fabulous, caring, giving, and patient. Our sex life was fab. Has survived nearly 20 years and 2 children.

Although libido has been less in recent years, he has always known exactly what's required and I have never been unsatisfied with sex as a result.

Now, even when we do get around to it, I don't FEEL anything. It's like there's no arousal at all. Even when I am by myself, I cannot get to that place And I am actually completely astonished by how much this is upsetting me. I don't want a life without the pleasure from sex

My GP is very "ah well, but most people are so pleased they feel better, so it's a shame, but there you go" about it.

Why don't GPs take female sexuality problems seriously?

OP posts:

morningpaper · 13/03/2007 19:46

oh I'm SO sorry

no advice but will have a hunt on the internet for you later

how terrible for you

Original poster

desirebegone · 13/03/2007 20:22

Thanks MP.

DH even had a look at my request to see whether something like viagra would be possible.

There's very few things you can take additional to ADs it seems. I would have been willing to try, extreme as it sounds.

Hopefully my ADs will not be long term. I am due to start some counselling soon. With any luck I can work towards being a calm person with no ADs.

It's just in the meantime... You know.

OP posts:

tribpot · 13/03/2007 20:31

My dh has been prescribed viagra on top of anti-d's, can't see why you would be any different? Sounds like you need to have another word with your GP.

zippitippitoes · 13/03/2007 20:34

have you tried other ads as something else wouldn't have the same effect and could in fact be much better eg ask about effexor or venlafaxine

CaptainCaveman · 13/03/2007 20:37

Hope you won't be on citalopram too long - I've just come off it after 16 months and libido has returned with gusto (sorry if tmi!!)

there is hope!!

ScummyMummy · 13/03/2007 21:03

Sorry to hear this. I agree with zippi- it may well be worth trying some other ADs. My (limited but have been reading about this lately) understanding is that they don't all have the same side effects for the same people and some (the non SSRI based ones) are definitely generally less likely to cause loss of libido than others. Some people have found that having weekend "holidays" from SSRIs works, apparently- talk to the doctor first- and there has also been a report that the herb ginkgo is helpful, I believe.

Original poster

desirebegone · 13/03/2007 21:05

Thanks people. I have another docs appointment soon. Different doc. I shall see what he has to say. Perhaps a male doc will have more empathy...?

Perhaps the upside is that when I come off them, I will realise that my libido was not as low as I thought it was.

OP posts:

Nbg · 13/03/2007 21:08

I've noticed this too since I have been taking Citalopram.
I stopped taking it a week ago, stupidly cold turkey and like CC, it returned very quickly.
I had to go back to my GP and I didnt mention it but am now on a lower dose so will see if that makes a difference.

gingernutlover · 15/03/2007 10:22

hi - I was on escitalopram for about 18 months and this was def a problem for me I think the drugs are very very similiar. I did have occasional patches of feeling in the mood tho but never quite worked out whther this was somthing I ate or what - but it will get better when you come off them - honest.

loubers · 19/03/2007 12:14

I have been on that AD for 2 years and have similar problems. Added to that would like another child, pretty hard when you have no sex drive! I have dropped down to 10ml to try feel more in the mood but feeling very teary.

littlebearsorg · 20/10/2011 22:39

I realise it's been a long time since anyone posted on this thread, but i'm going through this now and wondered how you all got on? I want to know if I need to come off AD's (been on them 5 years) to feel sexy again cos i've tried to cut down and come off several times and it's not looking good. May have a few more years of taking them or may need to stay on them for good... but can't bear the thought of no sex life while i'm on them :o(

orangeflutie · 27/10/2011 13:07

littlebearsorg Just seen this and thought I'd give you some hope:) Not all ADs kill your sex drive. I'm on a tricyclic AD called dosulepin that doesn't do this. However if you are on citalopram I had similar problems to the OP whilst I was taking it so I do sympathise.

Might be best to start a new thread as this one quite old now.

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