Anti-depressants - sexual dysfunction

[WillWorkForFood]

The sexual dysfunction that can often accompany the use of SSRIs is widely reported and I have suffered this problem on Sertraline and Fluoxetine.

My GP has just switched me on to Citalopram, however I fear it will result in the same.

I've done quite a bit of research into SSRIs and have a theory I want to try and test...

Has anyone who has experienced sexual dysfunction (reduced libido, lack of sensation, inability to climax etc) on one SSRI, switched to a different SSRI to then not suffer dysfunction?

My theory is that whilst not everyone suffers dysfunction on SSRIs, those that do will suffer it on them all, irrespective of brand, as it's the reaction to increased serotonin levels, no matter what drug achieves this that is causing the dysfunction; i.e, you're either susceptible to increased serotonin or you're not - at least as far as dysfunction is concerned.

What I'm looking for is someone that has experienced dysfunction on one SSRI, but switched to another and not suffered dysfunction, i.e disproving my theory.

Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

@HappyHedgehog247 To be fair, CBT was a broad label given. I was essentially sent away with a telephone number for me to all to self refer.
I've got a the initial screening telephone call (interview!?) to get through first that they use to filter out those who don;t actually require the service and I'll be sure to make sure they know what they're dealing with.

I cannot afford private treatment.

@Idlevice

I've often wondered about Autism as I have exposure to it within my married family and some of the anxieties I have could be matched to autism, however when I questioned my psych, she said that I have a far too higher level of emotional intelligence, ability to read people, situations, and all the subtleties of body language and social nuances to be on the spectrum. I've done several online tests and never score even close.

As soon as I saw the list of traits displayed by someone with Avoidant and OC personality disorder, it was an absolute 'OMG' light bulb moment and they described me perfectly.

It suddenly explained so many of my anxieties and constant high levels of distress that I've lived and struggled with all my life. My inability to enjoy anything and relax, no matter the circumstances. To be sat round the pool on holiday with my family having to put a false smile on, same on Christmas day etc.... my entire life has been a constant source of stress, fear and being so highly strung I could snap at any moment. Being constantly told by everyone - Jeez, you need to chill out.... etc.

If I told you what I do for a living, and then equated it to my personality disorder, you'd wonder how I've not had a heart attack or stoke by now. It's laughable - like a pilot that gets airsick, or a dyslexic proof reader - it's that ridiculous. My two nervous breakdowns now make much more sense.

An interesting road lies ahead.

I couldn't climax on Citalopram (which I believe is an SSRI?), but could on Mirtazapine (not an SSRI).

I'm on venlafaxine and have been unable to climax. It's only recently that I've linked it to my meds. I'm currently weaning off them. Was on 225mg, then 150mg and yesterday was prescribed the 75mg dose so hoping to be off them soon.

i found it really hard to orgasm on venlafaxine, and found it impossible to get aroused on fluanxol.

Mirtazapine sadly did nothing for my depression. Awesome for anxiety though.

I’m also affected with sexual dysfunction on SSRIs and have researched Wellbutrin as an alternative. It’s possible to purchase the online without a prescription but it feels dodgy. Has anyone else done this?

@sowhatifisaycunt I've tried on a few occasions and every time I get to the final stage where I've placed the order and need to pay, suddenly the need for a prescription pops up, normally referred to a 'RX'.

Numerous searches for 'No RX' or 'without prescription' etc yield very little.

I did find one website in Turkey that appeared to have stock of 300mg XL, however, once I placed my order, they came back and said that they didn't have stock but could offer me x, y & z - in other words, a con. My spam box fills up a little faster now, too.

I'm done with ADs now. I've tried all the main SSRIs and they all have exactly the same effect and I simply will not put up with that for the rest of my life. No how, no way. Plus I can't stand the other side effects.

I've researched it to death, spoken to medical professionals, read numerous medical journals along with the results of endless blind and double blind studies and the bottom line is, other than Mirtazapine and Bupropion (Wellbutrin), AD's can cause sexual dysfunction, simple as that.

Whilst that doesn't apply for everyone, for me they do, big time. I'm not going to allow one simple pleasure I have in my life taken away and my marriage to suffer, which it did previously when I tired to persevere. It was crap and it made me depressed. Sexuality is VERY important to me and a big part of my make up - I'm not letting it go. I'f I'm going to b depressed and miserable either way, I might as well be able to enjoy sex whilst I'm at it, as thankfully, depression does not quash my sexual side - sex is the only brief relief I get.

uk-ph.com/bp/checkout.php

Citalopram killed my orgasms and my doctor couldn't have given a shit when I addressed this. Fortunately my depression and anxiety was sufficiently manageable to come off the ADs.

It isn't taken seriously. It should be.

I agree OP. Getting yourself off or having decent sex are healthy ways to comfort and cope. I too felt it had robbed me of my one coping mechanism.

OP I totally feel the same way about sex and its been a massive problem with antidepressants.

Im now on 5htp which is a herbal supplement which seems to be working really well and I feel quite normal most of the time, and hasnt affected my sex drive at all. I feel much more myself than when i was on prescribed antidepressants.
Antidepressants probably saved my life in the past, but ultimately there is a massive pay-off with side effects that I just couldnt tolerate.
5htp and a weekly session with a counsellor seems to be the best thing for me. You can often get cheap sessions with a counsellor if you go to a local college and get almost qualified students who are often really good, if money is an issue and you cant hang around waiting for NHS ones to come through

I was on sertraline and renamed it NoLustAtAll rather than Lustral (brand name). I had the no orgasm thing for a long time, but it wore off and I started to enjoy sex again. It did take a long time though- a year at least!

It is possible to get Wellbutrin on the NHS, I'm on it. It did take me years to get it though, and whilst it doesn't have any effect on my libido (either way), I can't say that it does much for my depression. I also take Agomelatine, which shouldn't affect your libido or ability to climax, and may be easier to get as it is licensed for depression.

@sow Thanks for posting the link. Unfortunately that is for generic Bupropion, not the GSK version. I'd only ever consider using the proper Bupropion from GlaxoSmithKline, labelled as Wellbutrin, and only then, the 300mg XL extended release which is what is generally prescribed for depression as opposed to helping to quit smoking.

www.drugexp-eng.jp/images/medicine/Wellbutrin_XL_Tablets_300mg.jpg

There are lots of reports that I've read on various forums that indicate that the generic versions are not quite the same and often bring with them questionable results and side effects such as frequent headaches. This normally comes about when a US based insurance company no longer agrees to pay for the GSK original due to cost and offers the generic equivalent - the patient then reporting a big difference in the results they deliver from the perspective of being able to compare them back to back.

Sounds like sound advice @willworkforfood

DH has tried 2 different SSRIs but has no libido and cannot come at all.

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Amitriptyline doesn't. In fact I think it makes it easier. I struggled hugely on SSRIs but seem to get on well with this one. Worst I've had is a bit of dizziness and mild nausea with resolved within a week.

I couldn't orgasm with citalipram and for the first 10 days I didn't sleep either..I came off the citalipram after 6 months because the sexual problems created were virtually on a par with my low mood.

Had this initially when I started taking Citalopram, but luckily it gradually improved over the course of 3 or 4 months. Not sure if you’re male or female but I’m female so it wasn’t such a big deal for me, especially as at that time I was feeling too unwell to really care. Thankfully I made a good ‘recovery’ & am feeling well now (though I fear I’m a Citalopram lifer now).

In all organs and systems of organs in the human body, without exception, malfunctions and failures can occur. The male reproductive system is not an exception. In addition to various sexually transmitted diseases, the most frequent problem in the male sexual sphere is impotence, or, in more modern and scientific language, erectile dysfunction. More...