Antidepressants and Libido

[Savittre]

Hi Guys,

I had been on antidepressants for a couple of years (marriage breakup'll do it, guys, don't say you weren't warned )

This antidepressant's called Nortriptyline. It did cause a noticable drop in my sex drive!! I stopped taking it this spring, but actually haven't really noticed any big pickup again in general horniness- can you imagine visiting LOS under more unfavorable circumstances?

I don't know if it's just age catching up with me (lower mid-forties) or if other factors could be playing a part.

Does anybody know anything?

 

BTW, this antidepressant also made me feel like never having a beer- I thought 'What the f*** is this doctor trying to do to me? He doesn't want me depressed, but gives me this drug that makes me disinterested in drinking and screwing!!! What could be more depressing than that???

[Guest]

"Stopping treatment suddenly after prolonged therapy may produce nausea, headache, and malaise. These symptoms are not indicative of addiction."

http://www.mediresource.net/canoe/health/DrugInfo.asp?BrandNameID=403

 

Maybe your pecker has malaise?

[Old Hippie]

Some of those anti-depressants will react negativly with over the counter drugs, which might be part of the problem.

...BTW, this antidepressant also made me feel like never having a beer- I thought 'What the f*** is this doctor trying to do to me? He doesn't want me depressed, but gives me this drug that makes me disinterested in drinking and screwing!!! What could be more depressing than that???

Perhapes the ex-wives of the world are behind this!!

[tomc12]

Tricyclic antidepressants can decrease the libido, but it should return to normal after stopping the medication. It is a good thing you didn't feel like having a beer as alcohol can cause adverse effects with nortriptyline.

[sanukdee]

Tom's right, those antidepressant do decrease the libido, but things return to normal soon after stopping them.

Don't worry too much. I'm sure once you get to Thailand again and start feeling good your sex drive will miraculously reappear.

[Savittre]

Hi Guys,

I read the following, FYI-

It's a modern-day conundrum: a pill that lifts the mood also turns the genitals to stone. Half or more of people taking antidepressants may experience sexual side-effects, say clinicians, including loss of desire or difficulty becoming aroused and achieving orgasm. Women are affected more than men, simply because twice as many women as men are diagnosed and treated for depression.

The primary culprits now appear to be the handful of antidepressants known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), which include Zoloft, Paxil and Celexa as well as the original, Prozac, now 15 years old.

Early reports about Prozac suggested only two to three per cent of patients had sexual side-effects. But clinical practice guidelines published in June by the Canadian Psychiatric Association acknowledge that 30 to 50 per cent of patients treated with SSRIs experience sexual dysfunction. Some clinicians say the problem is even worse. Dr. John Lamont of McMaster University in Hamilton says the rate of patients on antidepressant therapy experiencing sexual side-effects is closer to 70 per cent. "This is probably true of all the SSRIs," says Lamont, who specializes in sexual medicine and couple therapy. "My general impression is the more potent the antidepressant effect, the more likely it is to affect sexual function."

One University of Arizona study involving 30 men found that Viagra produced a significant decrease in antidepressant-related sexual side-effects among 75 per cent of them, and similar studies suggest women may benefit as well.

The SSRIs and other newer antidepressants generally boast fewer side-effects than some of the older drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). But some patients still report nausea and diarrhea. Sexual problems, however, are another matter. "They may not become apparent until treatment has been under way for several weeks, even months," says Kennedy. Paradoxically, antidepressants can even improve desire among some patients, only to leave them incapable of achieving climax. In fact, SSRIs are so well known for delaying orgasm, that some, including Zoloft, have been used to treat premature ejaculation.

In the interim, XXXXXXX will stay on her medication and try to adapt to her diminished sex life. "It's selfish, but I prefer to be in a better mood," says XXXXXXX, who used to make love with her husband every week; now it's once every three weeks. "I feel that I'm a better mother and that's important. I'm not missing sex that much."

 

Yeah, SHE might not be missing sex that much, but do you think she'd mind her husband, poor SOB that he must be, taking a solo holiday to the LOS??

[Guest]

A lot of men take antidepressants specifically FOR their sexual side-effects. Although the libido is decreased, they also help you last longer. They are regularly prescribed for premature ejaculators.

[bibblies]

I'd say don't worry about it. It's probably a hangover somewhere in your brain about your whole marriage break-up, which is a pretty big life-event. You'll probably get over it soon enough. The change of scene, the girls, even the sunshine'll help a lot.

[Savittre]

Thanks, bibblies,

I agree with what you say, except I would say 'the change of scene, the RIGHT girls, even the sunshine'll help a lot.

I was into sanuk in Thailand in the 80's. Sure do wish I had a time machine!!!

Pretty damn ungrateful of me to talk like that, though, considering I've been through Bangkok 4 times this year and got acquainted with Phnom Penh!! Meanwhile, there's guys buried in miserable marriages with wives who don't give a damn about them or their sex lives... as described in the article, excerpts of which I've posted in this thread!!!!

Most of us on Nanaplaza have it pretty good!!!