Citalopram and Loss of Sex Drive

My husband takes this and his sex drive is normal. I would say something to your doctor. maybe they can

change doses for you or something.

I have a wierd story to tell, I have been on it every night for several months now, I don't get horny much but when i do i do, tonight i rushed home, while in Walmart felt very aroused. lol and during sex i cannot seem to climax for some reason, i think it is the sedating affects of the medication.

Not sure what drug is better than this and that affects both noroephinephrine and seratonin.

So for me i can get in the mood but cannot seem to climax. frustrated..........lol

HI ANDIE32

Thanks for your response! As far a counselling he would have to admit we are in a relationship first!!!!! He is the most confusing person I've ever known!!!! O just don't know what to do je went on meds cos he hated hurting me but his lack of intimacy makes me feel like im just a friend?????? When I talk to him about it he says thing like I spend every day with you and all weekend but that is not intimacy????

Ive been on Citalopram from approx a month now, was on Paroxetine before but did not like them they were awful, I have noticed a improvement on Citalopram & they are helping with my depression but the most annoying side effect is loss of sex drive, for me it has completely gone out the window, even though they are helping with other aspects of my life these antidepressants are destroying my relationship, I feel selfish like in the sense I push him away, don't want sex, it is highly upsetting for me as now i think my partner thinks I am cheating on him, I can understand him feeling these things but that is so not the case, I am still attracted to my partner & love him, I have suggested showing him some websites to educate him on what these antidepressants can do but its like he doesn't want to know, when I was on paroxetine last year I was always stopping & starting them as loss of sex drive was so annoying & was doing it to please him but this time I want to take meds seriously & get myself well & do this for me, stopping & starting meds can be dangerous, I just wish he could try be more understanding, it really upsets me this whole loss of sex drive as I don't want to be accused of stuff I am not doing yet I can't help how these meds have certain side effects

Yup. My sex drive got up and went........but u can´t have everything......I felt happier as a person and that was the lesser of 2 evils ! My sex drive used to get me into trouble anyway. Probably sounds stupid, but I feel more " Spiritual " on Citalopram and see the world in a better light, not in the stressed-out perspective that I seem to have when drug-free...............Reality can be hard sometimes. Good Luck people and enjoy life where u can. I´m coming on 60 and don´t want to be a miserable git in my old age. Off for a swim now and then a beer !

You are NOT the only one.  I quit taking it solely due to the severe sexual side effects too.  I have no ED problems on this antidepressant, but I have experienced "Extreme" climax problems, which has been very difficult on my wife due to insanely extended sexual episodes.  Actually, I want to be back on it so badly because it worked!  Unfortunately, with this drug you have to choose; LOSE your monster orgasms and great sex life (my normal sex life,) or continue to feel like blowing your brains out all the time (like normal as well unfortunately for me.)  Living hell with or without it!  Please tune this drug up for us nymphos.  Very, very close to a seriously effective and tolerable cure fellas.  TY.  - CM

I wanted to share my story to give hope to those who are just beginning their 'Citalopram journey'

I suffered from crippling anxiety for most of my adult life (I'm 35 now) and when I was 31, I became suicidal as I couldn't cope any longer. I started taking Citalopram and had regular counselling sessions with a relationship counsellor who helped me understand why I had such self esteem issues. I had a few mild symptoms at first i.e. feeling a little numb, nauseous, but I dropped my dose from 20mg to 10mg whilst my body got used to it and was fine. Within 3 weeks or so it really kicked in and I can remember the first day I woke up without feeling anxious. I felt so incredible and alive again. It really helped me to rationalise as it took away the anxiety and pushed my emotions to the side so that I could think more clearly whilst still being me. It was by far the best decision that I have ever made, and changed my life in such an incredible way.

I see life in colour now and am so grateful for all of the wonderful things in my life rather than worrying about things that I could do nothing about.

The only real side effect was that I took me ages to climax, and I did lose interest in sex, but I Found Myself in the process, so 4 years later it seems like such an irrelevant price to pay.

I am now with a loving and incredible partner who, like me has spent his whole life with depression. With my support, he has seen his GP and started Citalopram a month ago. The difference is incredible, and I am finally getting the man I fell in love with back. He has also lost his sex drive, and has tried to masturbate but has found it takes him ages to climax, and when he does it feels uncomfortable as it gives him a headache.

My advice to everyone is to remember that this is just a bump in the road, and not having a sex life for a while is a small price to pay for a lifetime of happiness that you deserve.

Keep talking to each other and sharing your feelings and you will become so much stronger. Good luck! 

I'm on the same dose.  I've suffered depression for about 35 years on and off.  First time on cit was two years ago when I split from my partner of 20 years.  At that time started seeing a really beautiful and sexy woman, but it was so embarassing as I just could not orgasm and ended up just dripping with sweat and making lame excuses.  Now I'm single again and it would be so lovely to feel I could share intimacy with someone special - but it's just not going to happen,  I can almost hear the sound of the needle being snatched across the record as I explain I can't because I'm on antidpressants.....sooooo sexy, not.  A healthy sex life is so important, cit denies you of that basic human need.  Total paradox.  Feeds the very depression it's mean't to help.

Hello,

I have been taking Citalopram for almost 3 years now (with pauses) and I have no sex drive anymore. Seriously nothing. I just don't feel anything when I'm with my partner. I thought, maybe after a while it would come back but for me it's just gone. I am a 19 year old girl.. and it is really hard for me. I've been togheter with my boyfriend for a year now, and he 'understands'. But he keeps making jokes about it. Sad thing is, they aren't really jokes, but like disses (I don't know how to say it in english). I used to be the person with a lot of sex drive. Like A LOT. It just really bothers me. But I am bipolar so I can't just stop with the meds. I just hope it won't make him go away. I have a lot of stress when we go to bed or in the morning when he wakes up. And he gets a bit upset when I say that I don't feel like it. I hope I can come off the meds when I finish studying.

Its funny really, my wife used to think I was a bit of a sex pest always horny. Now taking Citalopram 4 months in at 20mg my urges have stopped.  No sexual urge, frustrating for me I can still get an erection but find it hard to orgasm. ( in one sence I can last for ages which is good). I have had all the side effects listed but lost 6 llbs in weight. Starting to feel normal but still early days as have panic attacks still but my wife says that being happy is better....

Have you Looked up Post ssri sexual dysfunction?

Please do. It will help you make an informed decision as to what to do, i.e. of you will continue taking these meds.

Regards,

Alex

Yes I have experienced an absolute loss in my sexual drive.  I don't even thing about it any more.  I have been on 20mg Citalopram for 90 days.  

Ive been on Citalopram from approx  6  months now.  I have completely lost my sex drive. This is very frustrating because I have a new gilfriend who is very sexual. The worst part is the lack of sex drive, it's completely gone. no interest at all and disfunction. My new girlfriend understands and told me to quit Citalopram (she's  a nurse) I am lucky she's  patient, working with me and not totaly insulted and hurt. Do my best to please her in (other ways). Life before CIT: High anxiety, flirting, looking, even learing at sxy women was the norm but not now. No interest even in prn! Lord help me. Stopped Cit a week ago and depression and wierd thoughts appear. No anxiety though at least not yet, still no drive, how long till it's back?  I don't enjoy anything hardly, TV, friends, work. How do I move forward with my life?