Antidepressants killing libido

[quietkarin]

Due to a lot of stress, anxiety, etc., I decided to go on a low dose of Celexa. It's helping, but I noticed that my libido is now non-existant. I've taken a higher dose before, and didn't have this happen so I'm a bit baffled. Part of me wonders if it's really the drug, but that's the only thing that's changed lately.

Anybody else ever dealt with this?

[Nikita]

Due to a lot of stress, anxiety, etc., I decided to go on a low dose of Celexa. It's helping, but I noticed that my libido is now non-existant. I've taken a higher dose before, and didn't have this happen so I'm a bit baffled. Part of me wonders if it's really the drug, but that's the only thing that's changed lately.

Anybody else ever dealt with this?

Hi Karin,

Everyone is different in their reaction to drugs, but in general, as you may know, some medications of that category reduces libido. It is not permanent. With time, you will get it back.

You will need to ask your doctor if this is so and express your concern about your lack of libido; ask for help in getting it back.

If you can't ask your doctor, get another one. *kiss*

[Ozme52]

With some drugs, the side effects of a low dosage can be different than the side effects of a high dosage. As Nikita suggests, go ask your medico. There may be other factors that require his consideration.

[Tojo]

Check out this link karin- http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infoshe...talopramPT.htm

'decreased libido' is certainly a side effect.

I wouldn't take what your doctor says as gospel, unless you really trust them. Many seem to think that women tend to need 'calming down' & that having feelings is a bad thing.

I hope you're getting counselling in conjunction with the medication, & not just using pills to repress your feelings?

I have some experience with all this sort of stuff, PM me if you like.

Tojo

[Sklaventreiber]

Due to a lot of stress, anxiety, etc., I decided to go on a low dose of Celexa. It's helping, but I noticed that my libido is now non-existant. I've taken a higher dose before, and didn't have this happen so I'm a bit baffled. Part of me wonders if it's really the drug, but that's the only thing that's changed lately.

Anybody else ever dealt with this?

I take 40mg of Paxil every day, and yes it has reduced my "abilities" to some degree. My Doctor is always asking about my sex life as a result, and since I am not in "any" kind of serious relationship, I am not worried about it right now. But, in those rare occasions where I have a need for "release" I have been able to overcome my "issues" with the drug. I attribute this to mind of matter...sometimes we worry so much about performance that it interferes. Not saying this is the case but something to think about.

Always talk to your Doc about the problems you're having with any medication...

[Jaeger]

I've been on AD's for some time now. Sometimes I can't get it up, sometimes it won't go down. Sometimes I can get it up, but then it wont do anything. It just stands there looking confused.

Basically, rather than killing my libido, the pills have put it to both extremes.

Weird.

Sorry, that was probably too much info.

[Ozme52]

LOL, no, not too much info. In fact, it's revealing and something to think about if your MD suggests a mood altering drug.

I feel for ya Jaeger, I did a short six month stint of depression when I lost my father. I was lucky and it corrected itself one night sans drugs.

Do you at least feel the AD's are helping you?

[Tojo]

It's easy to look up the side effects of most drugs, whether AD or whatever, by simply doing an online search.

It's quite surprising to read that many drugs prescribed for depression can actually make it worse.

I've known many many people on all sorts of drugs, whether prescribed, illegal or whatever. As far as I remember, not one of them made any sort of recovery until they were off the particular drug.

It's also interesting that while even medicos admit they know next to nothing about many of these illnesses, they're still happy to prescribe pills for them.

Anyone would think physicians had some connection with pharmacuetical companies?

Surely not.....


Tojo

[katie_21]

Oh my...funny how you take a pill to cure something and it gives you 10 other problems huh? I'm on Zoloft right now, I've only been on it for 3 weeks but I can see that it's helping the OCD/Depression/Anxiety...I have no appetite and I also haven't really been in the "mood" for a week or so now.

I say, hang in there for a little while longer and if it doesn't get better then you should talk to your doctor. Sometimes it just takes our bodies a little while to adjust.

I was on Paxil a few years ago after I had my son, I lost my libido as well but kept taking the medicine and after a month or so I got back in to the groove of things. Side effects are a pain in the butt that's for sure!! Good Luck.

[SheepishJaina]

I was on Paxil about a year ago, and it def. made a difference in my sexual intrest. For the first two or so months I had NO DESIRE whatsoever to do anything. I did speak with my doctor to be sure, and he was right, it did eventually go away as my body got used to the medication. While I didnt suddenly become interested again, it did come back gradually

[Kaz]

I had a similar experience with the drug Cymbalta.

I think I tend to use orgasms as a way to relieve anxiety, so I kept trying. The difference was I found it much harder to actually reach an orgasm. After about two weeks the side effects went away, and then of course we changed the dosage.

It's been several months since I started on it, but I can say it was worth the trouble. The side effects have become non-existent and I find myself feeling much better about life. Talk to your doctor about it but don't get discouraged with the bumps on the road.

[the_wanlorn]

I was on Celexa for a while for depression/anxiety. It killed my libido flat and eventually made my anxiety worse.

I switched to Paxil. For a while (about a month, I think), my libido was a complete zombie. After that, however, it gradually came back.

So, first off, talk to your doc about it and see if s/he thinks sticking it out will make you level off. If not, and it really bothers you, I'd say ask to be switched to something else.

[Avralivia]

I think im a bit odd, after i went on anti depressants 2 and a half years ago, my sex drive went mad, and i started realkly exploring my sexuality... yay.... oh and i fekt less depressed too BONUS! hehehe

I came off of them a year ago, and im still being a sexual deviant, oops, oh yeah i always was, just got more adventurous