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sertraline and the dissapearing libido

Posted , 4 users are following.

stephen11519
stephen11519

i have been on sertraline for 4 years, hovering between 50mg and 100mg. my ex-girlfriend says that i lost interest in having sex with her, when i was on it, think she was right, as i did find myself losing my "erection" during intercourse. ive now booked an appointment to see my doctor, to get some viagra, so that i have back up if my embarrasing problem lets me down again. any suggestions on libido boosters from fellow sertraline users would be most welcome, as ive not been offered an alternative to sertraline by my doctor that doesn't affect your sex drive.

steve.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • emily81526
    emily81526 stephen11519

    Posted

    Hi Stephen. From the female side I have also little/ no interest in the bedroom since taking this medication. Currently in the process of trying to come off the drug.
    • stephen11519
      stephen11519 emily81526

      Posted

      thanks for the comments emily, so difficult to come off sertraline. have come down 50mg on them this past week, and then my best friend tells me i seem a bit "out of it" also felt really edgy when i was out in public. let me know how you get on with your withdrawal, any tips most appreciated!!!!!
    • emily81526
      emily81526 stephen11519

      Posted

      Will do. Just found a charity called mind. Which seems to have some good information. Currently going through hell 😊 only way is up. (I hope)
    • stephen11519
      stephen11519 emily81526

      Posted

      good thing is you recognize you have a problem, lots of people don't. good luck emily.
  • papote53
    papote53 stephen11519

    Posted

    How old are you Stephen?  It could be low T, ;-(  Anyway, many medications will do that specially medication for anxiety/depression. I only used this one for 2 weeks so I can't comment but I do know first you have to be sure whats creating the problem. Requet a Blood test for total Testosterone and Prolactin- If all is well then look for alternatives if your heart is healthy.  Sure, lowering the dose could help as well but requesting the blood test won't hurt. ;-)
    • stephen11519
      stephen11519 papote53

      Posted

      thanks for your answer, i think that is a good idea. i will go down to my local health clinic and get a blood test for those two. all the best with your meds.

      steve

  • betsy0603
    betsy0603 stephen11519

    Posted

    Sadly, SSRIs are known to cause sexual side effects.  It's right there on the package insert.

    Unfortunately, the matter of coming off is difficult, as SSRIs/SNRIs and most pysch drugs are some of the most difficult drugs to come off of.  In fact, heroin addicts say it is easier to get off heroin than antidepressants!

    Even the doctors don't know how to get us off safely and have us do way too fast tapers.  See the topic Reducing Antidepressants using a 10% Withdrawal Method in the following topic:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/depression-resources-298570

    The forum that that link takes you to is the place to get help with coming off these meds.

    If your sex life matters to you, then finding alternative ways to deal with emotional issues, including cognitive behavior therapy (lots of self-help online), and guided meditations is essential, as well as safely coming off these drugs.

    It is not just a matter of getting the drug out of your system, however.  These drugs causes changes in your nervous system that remain when you reduce or go off, and the nervous system is slow to change back to conditions before the drug.  Withdrawal symptoms are caused by the neurochemical imbalance created by these changes when the action of the drug is reduced/removed.

    So, do your research before you make any changes, and question your doctor's orders; he really doesn't know how to get you off of the drugs without problems.  Just surf around Patient to see evidence of that!

     

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