Erection issues at 25 years old, could it be my meds?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this, i'll sum it up as quick as possible.
So beginning of this year, or somewhere near there, i had a huge bout of health anxiety, which crippled me mentally for a while, i went through CBT and was put on 20mg of citalopram for 4/5 months, during that time, my libido went to sh*t. I could barely get myself up to masturbate to porn or anything like that, and so my relationship suffered a bit. My girlfriend has been amazing about it all and very understanding. Before my huge panic and anxiety attacks i was constantly up for sex, and always raring to go. But since then i've felt like my erections have been kind of softer than before.
I tapered off the 20mg down to 10mg for a few weeks, and about two weeks ago i stopped taking the Citalopram completely. I'm seeing an Endocrinologist about my (Slightly lower than average) testosterone levels, but i'm just panicking that i've got ED at 25 or something thanks to these meds and my anxiety. I feel at a complete loss. I've been trying to get out to excercise more and eat better, but will i ever return to how i was? or at least to the point where i'm hard? I feel like my confidence has been shot to hell thanks to this. I was completely fine and able to get hard before my huge panic phase. Is this just something my body takes time to recover from? Could the citalopram have affected my hormones and they're taking time to recover?
Any help or similar success stories would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.
0 likes, 10 replies
ml66uk jay71299
Posted
Decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm are all common (1-10%) side effects of Citalopram, so the short answer is yes. Things will probably go back to normal, but I'd talk about it with your doc.
This post from last week is talking about the same thing.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/do-i-have-erectile-dysfunction-from-citalopram--538807
johnkov jay71299
Posted
No worries, it will take a while for citalopram to leave your body and sexual side effects are quite common with all SSRIs. If these symptoms are still present after 6-8 weeks (yes, it can take that long...!), speak to your GP and ask for a script for a low dose of bupropion - this will help with the sex drive/erections.
Regarding your second question - it has been confirmed that citalopram may increase the level of prolactin. And the effect of elevated prolactin level in males results in... the decrease of testosterone levels, so yes, your citalopram therapy may be related to the hormonal imbalance. But again, don't be too worried - everything should return to normal within a month or so. When you see your endocrinologist ask to check prolactin as well, in addition to testosterone and you should get the confirmation.
jay71299 johnkov
Posted
Thank you very much for the advice, i'll see how things go over the next few months then!
Islay jay71299
Posted
Please take note of the two replies you have already received. I'm sure you will find much help.
Are you intact (i.e. with a foreskin)? An increasing degree of impotence is a complication of circumcision to which I can sadly attest followng adult circumcision.
Christopher
jay71299
Posted
Thank you everyone, would all of this affect my "morning wood" too? I don't think i've actually had it for a few months now, it's kind of depressing.
ml66uk jay71299
Posted
Islay jay71299
Posted
I imagine it would because 'morning wood' is a product of nocturnal erections - of which we have many when asleep - and your current medication will probably affect these erections too.
But please take heart. What's a few months of impotence in a lifetime of healthy erections? With my best wishes,
Christopher
jay71299 Islay
Posted
Thank you for your advice. I'll try to take it in my stride and see what the future brings. It's been quite difficult. As with all anxiety, it's a case of "Oh god i think i may not be interested in sex forever" and that kind of thing. So it's more wrestling my own thoughts.
Islay ml66uk
Posted
I'm in my late 50s - and still experience morning wood!
Christopher
Islay jay71299
Posted
I understand that completely, but your thoughts will NOT become a reality! Believe it and soldier on. One day in the future you will look back and wonder why you were ever worried.
Christopher