Can anti-depressants put a damper on sexual experiences?

[chancedude]

I've been on Paxil for about 3 years for my Social Anxiety Disorder. I've noticed that when I jack off, my orgasms aren't as powerful as they used to be when I was in 9th and 10th grade, before I was on the meds. In 9th and 10th grade, whenever I jacked off, it felt so good that I'd gasp or moan a bit. Now, it feels good, but there isn't any moaning involved, or any gasping. My orgasms just don't seem to be as...fulfilling as they were before. Do you think Paxil has anything to do with it?

I'm pretty sure I read/heard somewhere that anti-depressants may have sexual side-effects, but I never learned what kind of side effects they were. Does anyone have any ideas?

Also, can taking anti-depressants make you gain weight? I've always wondered about this question.

 

[cumtasteit]

I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is that anti-depressants can have sexual side effects including a reduced sexual drive. But are you just now discovering this after three years of meds? You should check with your doctor. At the age of 18, you should still be having bang-up orgasms. Also, weight can be an issue, but often weight gain goes hand-in-hand with the reduced physical activity caused by depression. A lot depends on dosage, the patient and a myriad of other factors, including exercise and diet. Get yourself to your physician, Chance, and express your concerns. XXX

 

[blackwidow8000]

Sometimes (though oddly enough, not always) when I want a quick wank, I get started, thinking I'll be done in 2 minutes. 25 minutes later, my arm is tired, and the skin on my cock has rub burns on it, and I've STILL not had an orgasm.

When I was on Zoloft, I had the same exact experience. It took me forever to get off. It got to the point where I was frustrated and gave up. After being on the meds for 2 years, I went off of them, and everything returned to normal.

For the record, I absolutely hated being on Zoloft.

 

[chancedude]

I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is that anti-depressants can have sexual side effects including a reduced sexual drive. But are you just now discovering this after three years of meds? You should check with your doctor. At the age of 18, you should still be having bang-up orgasms. Also, weight can be an issue, but often weight gain goes hand-in-hand with the reduced physical activity caused by depression. A lot depends on dosage, the patient and a myriad of other factors, including exercise and diet. Get yourself to your physician, Chance, and express your concerns. XXX

Nah, I didn't just discover the reduction in my sex drive. I've noticed it for quite a long time, but I just thought that maybe I was going through a phase. At least I know there isn't something wrong with me; that it's just the meds I'm on.

I can't see my physician until at least December because I'm away at school, so I guess I can wait.

 

[chancedude]

I can relate! I'm taking Cymbalta and I've noticed some side effects with it. If you're really bothered by it, you should talk to your doctor - perhaps there's a different kind of anti-depressant you could take without the side effects. I should practice what I preach! I've been meaning to have just that talk with my doctor for a couple of months now, but I've not managed to do it yet. My side effects are a little different than yours though. Sometimes (though oddly enough, not always) when I want a quick wank, I get started, thinking I'll be done in 2 minutes. 25 minutes later, my arm is tired, and the skin on my cock has rub burns on it, and I've STILL not had an orgasm. Also my sex drive is a bit lower than normal, but even with both of these side effects, it beats the hell out of suffering from depression.

Hahaha, that happens to me too sometimes! I think I'm going to have a quick jack off session and it lasts up to a half hour and I end up giving up. It sucks

 

[TomahawkEagle]

I lose the drive to wank when I'm on anti-depressants. When I do get the urge to jack off, I seem to have a lower cum volume.

 

[justsimon]

Celexa also does that. My Mom takes Celexa and one time I took one pill, only once, just as an experiment to see if it had any effect on me. I could not have an orgasm the rest of that day, and half of the next day. I tried and tried, and just could not ejaculate. And that was after taking only one 20mg. Celexa. A year later I tried it again with one pill, and the same thing happened. So I know it wasn't other circumstances, it was the Celexa. However, these side effects sometimes go away after you have been taking the drug for a few weeks. I took Prozac for about 2 months in 1994 and for the first 2 or 3 weeks, it was very difficult to ejaculate. After about 3 weeks or so, it became easier.

I took Celexa (for headaches, not depression) and it had the same effect on me... only I was on it for 2 months.

 

[okstatecowboy]

Many medications (not just anti-depressants) can have unintended side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, weight gain/loss, etc. It's extremely important to visit with your health care specialist to determine what might happen and what to do should such issues develop.

Lithium did it for me. No sexual activity while on that stuff. Also had other side effects... I weened myself off it and realized I could live with the bipolarity easier than the medications. That was over fifteen years ago. Much happier camper now.

mikey

 

[subobj]

Yes, SSRI's (selective seritonin reuptake inhibitors -- most of the popular anti-depressants fall into this category, including Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac) are notorious for their sexual side-effects AND for causing weight gain.

People react differently to different ones -- for me, Celexa was the worst in terms of side effects. No libido whatsoever, and I gained a ton of weight. Paxil made it very hard to cum, but I at least didn't lose my sex drive. Zoloft didn't have either side effect, but left me feeling emotionally flat. Prozac -- slight decrease in sex drive, no problem cumming, moderate weight gain.

My doctor tells me, btw, that, statistically speaking, Paxil is one of the worst in terms of weight gain and sexual side effects.

BTW, are you getting therapy for your social anxiety disorder? SSRI's tend to be much more effective when combined with therapy -- ideally, one can even use therapy to transition off of them.

 

[evilest]

Speaking from experience I say yes. When I was on the happy pills I lost all sexual motivation. I eventually went to my doctor and had the meds changed.

 

[stokeboy]

I find it harder to cum, it just takes longer and Sometimes i just give up.

 

[tx_doc]

I dated a guy who was on anti-depressants. In the 5 months that we dated, he was never able to come.
We didn't break up because of that. I left him because he was a republican and was adamant that he was going to vote for Bush (in 2000)

 

[Paathogen]

Many SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) cause sexual side effects, some more than others. Paxil (Paroxetine) is one of the worst, according to my patients and the studies that I've read in my Psych journals.

Even though I work in a prison environment, and sexual side effects are not one of my main concerns when prescribing Psych meds to my inmates- I still hear concerns and complaints about the med.

Before I started working for the prison, I had a private practice (for a VERY short time), and many of my male patients experienced a drop in sexual activity when on an SSRI. MAOIs don't seem to have that issue as bad as the SSRI group.

Currently, my patients complain of a lack of sexual arousal, inability to achieve an orgasm, and some even complain of a complete lack of sexual drive. Another common complaint with SSRIs is yawning, clenched teeth, and for some- anal leakage.

However, your experiences may vary. Please keep in mind that my patients are inmates and sexual side effects are low on my priority when it comes to prescribing SSRIs- unless the patient himself is against the medication personally.

In short- you are not alone.

 

[SL200__]

Yes, yes, yes. Most of the common anti-depressants have sexual side-effects. Like the OP I'm on an A-D for anxiety and suffer distinctly decreased libido and orgasms that can take longer to achieve and are less 'mind blowing' than previously.

Also, can taking anti-depressants make you gain weight? I've always wondered about this question.

I don't think anyone else has commented about this item in this thread, but it's another yes to this question. Weight gain is a common side effect of many anti-depressants - I've gain weight since being on them.

 

[Blakiepoo]

I was on Paxil for 2 months and practically had no sex drive. When I did feel like jerking off, an orgasm was SO difficult. I had to watch my hottest porn and really concentrate, and that was only after 2 weeks of nothing. (i didn't mind all of the free time from not needing to jerk off though)

I switched to Celexa and all of my side effects have lessened, but I used to masturbate maybe twice a day and now I'm like one every 3 days.

Weight gain is possible for antidepressants. I saw a chart that compared them and percents for each side effect were around 15%. I haven't gained weight from either of them, but I do have a good metabolism.

 

[Shiva Rea Von]

Yes, SSRI's (selective seritonin reuptake inhibitors -- most of the popular anti-depressants fall into this category, including Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac) are notorious for their sexual side-effects AND for causing weight gain.

The older class of anti-depressants known as MAO-Inhibitors caused even more weight gain than the SSRI class. I think all of the SSRIs have serious side effects when used long term and should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist, as opposed to a GP who is not trained in that field, yet hands them out like candy.

 

[jockboy01]

The MAO-Is have more side effects than the SSRI's. And I disagree that a psychiatrist should be needed to prescribe them. If they take the time (key part), GPs are perfectly capable of handling mild to moderate depression alone with SSRIs.

 

[chancedude]

Wow, I didn't think so many people would have input on this topic! I'm really happy that you all did respond to it though .

In December I'm going to have an appointment with my psychiatrist and tell him my concerns such as my sex drive being decreased and the weight gain. I'm wondering what he'll say though.