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Sertraline and sex

11 replies

AESC · 05/09/2024 19:00

Just looking for others experiences and points of view that I might not have considered.
I started sertraline 9 weeks ago for PTSD/anxiety/OCD following birth trauma. I tried CBT first but wasn't cutting it and needed something else
The sertraline worked almost overnight. My brain just calmed. It was like I could finally take a breath.
For the first few days I had insomnia and nausea but they passed.
Over the next few weeks I noticed my labido had completely gone and things that used to turn me on just weren't. Then when I had sex for the first time it was like my clitoris/vagina/whatever had been turned down as well as my brain. I get none of those excited intense feelings anymore. I haven't been able to orgasm since starting. Sex can feel pleasurable but it's not anywhere near the same.
Now I feel like I'm stuck in a situation where I have to choose between my mental health and sex/my physical relationship with my husband. I'm torn because if I was a man and I was experiencing erectile dysfunction with sertraline I feel like this would be treated as a bigger deal than it will because I'm a woman.
Am I crazy for considering switching to another medication to bring back my sex drive but risk my mental health or am I crazy for thinking I should put up with this because it's "not a big deal"? I have a 3 month review soon and I don't know what to say.
Sorry if all this is tmi but I can't say it without saying it!

OP posts:
Benvolio · 05/09/2024 19:02

It is 'a big deal' if it is to you, and your GP will take it seriously if it is. Do raise it without embarrassment.

PilgorTheGoat · 05/09/2024 19:02

Not crazy at all. Sertraline made it impossible for me to orgasm. I could reach the point right before orgasm but it just wouldn’t happen. I tried another SSRI and I didn’t have the same issue.

AESC · 06/09/2024 19:50

Thanks for the replies. I think I just needed to hear someone else say it before I went to the GP!

OP posts:
Ghib · 06/09/2024 19:51

I've been on 4 different antidepressants and couldn't orgasm on any of them :(

youplaystupidgamesyouwinstupidprizes · 06/09/2024 20:32

What dose are you on? If you don't mind me asking

Walkden · 06/09/2024 20:45

Anorgasmia is a well known side effect of many antidepressants /ssri's.

There are others you can try e.g mitrazapine. I found some staff were nonchalant saying you just have to deal with it but some staff were more sympathetic

AESC · 07/09/2024 06:41

youplaystupidgamesyouwinstupidprizes · 06/09/2024 20:32

What dose are you on? If you don't mind me asking

I'm on 50mg once daily

OP posts:
soberholic · 07/09/2024 06:44

SSRIs are well known for stopping sexual pleasure.

merryandbrightdelight · 07/09/2024 06:47

I was on 50mg once a day and had exactly the same issues, and vaginal dryness. I cane off them about six months ago (other reasons too - I felt ready) and things are just starting to go back to normal

AESC · 07/09/2024 06:49

Ghib · 06/09/2024 19:51

I've been on 4 different antidepressants and couldn't orgasm on any of them :(

Oh man. It seems so cruel cos now I've got my OCD under control a bit I know I want to have sex now but my body is like nahh

OP posts:
AESC · 07/09/2024 06:50

Walkden · 06/09/2024 20:45

Anorgasmia is a well known side effect of many antidepressants /ssri's.

There are others you can try e.g mitrazapine. I found some staff were nonchalant saying you just have to deal with it but some staff were more sympathetic

I thought it might be the case of luck of draw of who you speak to!

OP posts:
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