Sexual dysfunction from antidepressants

[i-feel-fantastic]

I recently got a prescription change from my psychiatrist. I was taking 450mg of Wellbutrin, but I didn’t feel like it was helping at all. So she gave me a prescription for Paxvil. She said to take 1 table with a lower Wellbutrin dose for the first two weeks, and then add another tablet with an even lower dose.

I’m glad I’m finally getting a change in prescription, but I’m really worried about the side effects. I’ve heard that sexual problems like erectile dysfunction are very common with SSRIs. My doctor herself said that would be the most likely side effect I’d experience.

I’d really like to know other people’s experiences with antidepressants. What sort of sexual side effects did the cause and how were you able to deal with them?

 

[soloflex1]

Hey man, read your post, on wellbutrin (DAW)
Actual name brand Wellbutrin, not the generic wellbutrin (bupropion) & there is a significant difference between the two agents. Noticed a difference when I was switched to generic due to insurance coverage. Asked my MD to get the prior authorization to switch back to Name Brand Wellbutrin & the problem with erection quality & desire went away. The problem with anti depressants today is that they are not %100 effective, even on another antidepressant. Many only notice about a %60 difference in depressive symptoms.
SSRI'S are the worst in terms of sexual sides _ so it is best to avoid them.
Get back if you have any questions.

 

[chpoof]

I’d really like to know other people’s experiences with antidepressants. What sort of sexual side effects did the cause and how were you able to deal with them?

When my husband first started taking an antidepressant (I can't remember the name), the sexual side effect was immediate, even after just one pill: I was going down on him in bed that night and almost had him to the finish line, then—nothing. Suddenly, everything just stopped. No orgasm, no cum. This side effect continued for the next few weeks while he took the medication. He would get excited and I could get him fully aroused (erect), but I couldn't get him off. The only way he managed to orgasm was if he jerked his dick like crazy, which was exhausting and extremely unusual. I was very happy that the medication was helping him with his depression, but it made our playtime very frustrating.

Finally, his doctor switched him over to wellbutrin (I don't know if it's the brand name or generic), and once the previous drug was fully out of his system and the wellbutrin took over, the problem ceased. He's been taking wellbutrin now for well over a decade with no sexual side effects at all.

The thing about antidepressants is every person is different, so sometimes you just have to try different ones to figure out which one works best for you. The most important thing, of course, is your mental well-being, but hopefully your doctor will be able to find one for you that won't have such a side effect. Whatever you do, once you start taking an antidepressant, do NOT stop taking it just because of a side effect. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions for weaning yourself off.

 

[i-feel-fantastic]

When my husband first started taking an antidepressant (I can't remember the name), the sexual side effect was immediate, even after just one pill: I was going down on him in bed that night and almost had him to the finish line, then—nothing. Suddenly, everything just stopped. No orgasm, no cum. This side effect continued for the next few weeks while he took the medication. He would get excited and I could get him fully aroused (erect), but I couldn't get him off. The only way he managed to orgasm was if he jerked his dick like crazy, which was exhausting and extremely unusual. I was very happy that the medication was helping him with his depression, but it made our playtime very frustrating.

Finally, his doctor switched him over to wellbutrin (I don't know if it's the brand name or generic), and once the previous drug was fully out of his system and the wellbutrin took over, the problem ceased. He's been taking wellbutrin now for well over a decade with no sexual side effects at all.

The thing about antidepressants is every person is different, so sometimes you just have to try different ones to figure out which one works best for you. The most important thing, of course, is your mental well-being, but hopefully your doctor will be able to find one for you that won't have such a side effect. Whatever you do, once you start taking an antidepressant, do NOT stop taking it just because of a side effect. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions for weaning yourself off.

Thank you for the advice. I feel like the effects were almost immediate for me too. It’s only been two days and it’s taken longer for me to climax.

Does anyone know of any other antidepressants that don’t have as much of an impact on performance? Wellbutrin is the only one I’ve heard of, and it doesn’t work for me at all anymore.

 

[palakaorion]

Of the SSRIs, Lexapro (escitalopram) and Luvox (fluvoxamine) have the lowest incidence of sexual side effects.

Paxil (paroxetine) is notorious for its effect on sexuality. Inability to finish (anorgasmia) and loss of libido are two of the biggest issues.

 

[Infernal]

Bupropion has far fewer sexual side effects than the other anti-depressants. For some people, there is evidence that it improves sexual function. It works with dopamine, not serotonin. As with any medication, it works well for some people, and not for others. I've been taking a generic version of Contrave as part of a weight loss program in addition to diabetes control and it has bupropion as one of the ingredients. Erections were impossible for the first two weeks, then slow to get started and hard to get off. Then things returned to normal. That first orgasm on it was unbelievable. I'll take that over what Paxil did to my sex drive any day.

 

[merc41]

Have him/her prescribe Viagra also. Helped me a lot

 

[i-feel-fantastic]

Have him/her prescribe Viagra also. Helped me a lot

I can get an erection just fine. It’s actually climaxing that is giving me a hard time.

 

[merc41]

That may get better over time. It comes and goes for me

 

[Evenflow618]

Don’t take that stuff do meditation for your depression and write affirmations

 

[playklax01]

Not a doctor here! Speaking from my knowledge, personal experience, and earlier Wikipedia research.

Wellbutrin/bupropion (brand/generic) are the same thing. Generics have to have the same active ingredients and efficacy. I know some people feel one works better than the other and stuff, and that's fine. But Wellbutrin in general doesn't have any negative sexual side effects. In fact, it can have a positive effect.

The OP wrote Paxvil, but I think he means Paxil. I've taken that years ago... In my opinion, it was the worst for sexual side effects. The first week it actually seemed to help my sexual function, but I think it was due to starting to feel less stressed and depressed while it began to work. After that though, it went downhill quick. Hard to get an erection, taking forever (if ever) to finish , and just being in the mood is difficult.

Paxil also has one of the worst discontinuation syndrome profile of the SSRIs, but I won't go into that here. You should be aware if you do start taking it, so do look it up so it doesn't catch you off guard if it did happen to you (it may not). It happened to me, sent me to the ER twice without any help from them. It was like almost 25 years ago, the discontinuation syndrome wasn't realized or understood yet. But it's a real thing, and it was the worst!

Back to the sexual side, any of the traditional SSRIs will have these issues, some more than others. Someone above mentioned mixing with Viagra. I didn't try that but read that can help too, and your doctor may be onboard with that, depends on your other health matters. Don't be afraid to at least ask.

There are only 3 antidepressants I know of that don't have a negative (and actually have a positive) sexual side effect, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, and Remeron. The last 2 aren't really used for depression anymore, they're used for sleeping. Trazodone will knock you out faster than Benadryl, I currently take that to sleep. It works scarily quick! Remeron isn't too bad. It will make you tired but not exhausted. Everyone is different though. Your mileage may vary.

Those actually have the warning "If you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, call...the Guinness Book of World Records" or whatever. <just being funny, you know what I mean!>

I have some problems with sexual functioning as it is, along with anxiety and depression, which is causing the sexual problems (rinse and repeat...), so I'm always researching any prescriptions to see what possible sexual issues they may cause. My personal experience is that the last ones I mention do not cause any of those.

 

[i-feel-fantastic]

I just called my psychiatrist today and told her what’s going on. She told me I could stop taking the Paxil (and yes that’s what I meant, not Paxvil) since it’s only been a few days and prescribed me a similar dosage of Effexor instead. She said an SNRI might be a better fit for me.

I’m hoping it’ll be better at least. I just wish the only antidepressant that doesn’t cause any sexual side effects wasn’t the one that isn’t working for me…