anti-depressants (prozac)

My SO takes an antidepressant (not prozac) that totally zapped her sex drive (which is what brings me here).

It's proven that one of the side-effects of these types of antidepressants is decreased enjoyment of sex. For guys with premature ejaculation, that can be a good thing as the decreased pleasure they get makes them last longer.

Stay away from that stuff. Mess up your brain. Seen people claim it made them gambling addicts, others become very mean.

Too many people take it when its not needed. Find a new hobby... , hold on, didn't mean it like that. Keep hobbing but try new stuff too, skiing, bowling.

Too many just think all they need is a pill a day--or 2 or 3.

Prozac and other SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) may indeed diminish your libido. This can happen for two reasons, one good and one bad.

These drugs can reduce your anxiety and if your sexual activities are compulsive or in response to anxiety, well, that's a good thing. However, these drugs may also directly lower your libido, something that's generally not regarded as so good.

It's an empirical question as to which of these drugs might best work for you.

Another possibility is Wellbutrin. It's an antidepressant that isn't an SSRI.

See your doctor.

jwm

Zyban anti-smoking remedy

I used to be a light smoker until early 2001 when I asked my doctor for some advice about quitting. He offered the patch, gum or Zyban (SP?). He advised that Zyban had a slightly better success rate than the other options but it was originally intended as an anti-depressant so it might lower my sex drive. I stupidly chose Zyban, along with a very mild sedative. I used Zyban for a week and that was all I needed to get over the early cravings so I stopped taking it. But during that week, I had my first hour long session with the lovely Lisa at Oasis. I stayed rock hard for the whole time but I couldn't get off no matter what she did. It was the weirdest thing....she was delightfully sexy, young, beautiful and very accomodating so I was seriously hot for her....but there was also this vague isolation from the usual hedonistic abandon that usually precedes orgasm. At some level, it just wasn't getting through to my trigger mechanism. Once I stopped taking Zyban, I was my old horny self again. Don't take them unless you really need them. There is a downside.

I have been taking antidepressants for some time. I tried recently to go off them, however the depression came back full force. When required (and they are not for everybody), they can be very beneficial to one's state of well being.

I am on two of them.

Citalopram (an SSRI), has not decreased my sex drive, it has made it very difficult to have an orgasm. For the first 3 months or so, it would take me at least 90 minutes of self pleasuring to achieve an orgsam, if it happened at all. Quite often my partner(s) would not be able to make me climax at all. At about the 6 month mark, things got a bit better. I could usually achieve an orgasm with a partner in about 45-60 minutes. The gradual increase of the drug is definately the worst part until your body gets used to all the effects.

Welbutrin (not an SSRI), which is piggybacked (in my case) with the Citalopram has entirely different properties. This drug has a side effect (in many people) which can increase one's sex drive. I have found that this drug alone does not make me come faster, just boosts the libido (so to speak). In some cases it has been used just for this property, to help people with a sexual dysfunction.

When I stopped taking the drugs (as I want to be drug free), a strange thing happened. The sensitivity in my penis increased by 1000%. I literally became a minute man, if I could last that long. Took about 2 months for things to get back to 'normal'.

Unfortunately, because I have not been able to control my depression without medication, I am finding myself on them again. Same sexual problems. Intense difficulty achieving orgasm, partners who are getting frustrated thinking that they are the cause etc. It is really a no win situation, though the Welbutrin cretainly does help a bit.

a 1 player said:

I have been taking antidepressants for some time. I tried recently to go off them, however the depression came back full force.

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I've been on Effexor which more or less have the same effect. As the others quoted, when on it you feel fine but the sex drive takes a beating - may take forever to come (good and bad).
The only way is to try to get off the drug gradually - but like a1player said, it's usually a "no-win".

Wellbutrin and Zyban are one and the same drug.
Just marketed under different names: Wellbutrin as an antidepressant and Zyban to quit smoking.
It's a scam as they charge you more for Zyban than Wellbutrin.

thirdtime said:

Wellbutrin and Zyban are one and the same drug.
Just marketed under different names: Wellbutrin as an antidepressant and Zyban to quit smoking.
It's a scam as they charge you more for Zyban than Wellbutrin.

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Wow, learn something new every day.

a 1 player said:

Wow, learn something new every day.

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And, when I took Wellbutrin, I smoked a hell of a lot more. No kidding!

SSRI's lead to sexual dysfunction in many cases. With me, I could get hard, just could not reach orgasm.

Wellbutrin has a different mechanism, generally no sexual side effects.

As for the comment that drugs mess up your brain, I suggest you decide which is better. Taking medication, or blowing your brains out.

Medication should NEVER be used on its own to treat depression. Active psychotherapy should be part of the entire health care plan.

abstinent said:

....Stay away from that stuff. Mess up your brain. Seen people claim it made them gambling addicts, others become very mean....

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In the nicest possible way, you have no idea what you are talking about.

SSRI drugs balance the amount of seratonin that the neurons both produce and receive. This chemical imbalance is one of the main causes of depression, and is one of the reasons people from all walks of life are suseptable to this condition. Depending on the severity of depression, it can be life altering... Picture the worst day of your life that just does not go away, ever. Feelings of helplessness, fatigue, having crying fits for no apparent reason, not even feeling motivated enough to call a doctor. It's not something that you can just shake off. The addict on the other hand, (be it drug, alcohol, gambling, sex, whatever... is searching for a temporary relief from some other problem in their life. One of the goals of therapy is to discover and address these underlying issues. This is a different/yet somewhat similar issue, but not necessarily based upon a chemical imbalance in the brain. The brain is already somwhat messed up if one requires these drugs. The SSRI's make the brain function better. That is what they are designed to do.

abstinent said:

....& yes, youre not suppose to pop these pills like vitamins....

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I dare anyone to try to pop some of these pills like vitamins. Severe shakes, nausea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, emotional numbness are just some of the side effects. Recreational drug users use their choice of drugs to feel good. I know, I was one. The side effects from SSRI's are not enjoyable, actually, some of them make you feel physically like shit smells. However they are better than not being able to function at all.

Excellent post A1 Player!

Having been down the depression path once in my life I will say that my life with Effexor (along with the reduced sex drive) was 10000000000x better than I was having without the help it provided me.

Moraff said:

Excellent post A1 Player!

Having been down the depression path once in my life I will say that my life with Effexor (along with the reduced sex drive) was 10000000000x better than I was having without the help it provided me.

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There are many, many clinically depressed people who suffer the 'Blues'. It is estimated that 10 % of us are clinically depressed, and it is the leading cause for loss of 'productivity' in the Western World. It is encouraging to see many who come out and openly talk about it, to educate those who do not suffer from it, and, most importantly, to encourage those who suffer from it, myself included, that we can beat this 'devil'. Abstinent, I hope that you are getting a clearer picture of the matter and are learning more about depression and anti-depressive drugs, as per your original question.

shakenbake

abstinent said:

I think im the only one that wants a decreased urge for sex. Save money & time, no game, no hassle, no bitterness, no risks of diseases nor pregnancy!
If you dont want it/urge, you wont care, right?

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take "St Peter" rumor has it they used to put in military food to make them think with there bigger head...steroids another one that makes balls into acorns!?..kidding aside

imho ..best to take a 6 month approach and level yourself of with the use of anti-D . But most importantly you should have a means of discussing what is causing the "blahs" and "spirit killing" so to speak..they go hand in hand.the hobby isn't much of an uplifter as i would like it to be. chronic fatigue isn't far off and doctors easily ship you of to the pharmacy which i feel is just side stepping and bandaid-ing. Its important you talk about you mental state to someone trained to consult. Hope things improve.

herames said:

imho ..best to take a 6 month approach and level yourself of with the use of anti-D . But most importantly you should have a means of discussing what is causing the "blahs" and "spirit killing" so to speak..they go hand in hand.

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I agree very much with the 6 month approach, though it may take longer than that. Often it will take more than one medication to achieve the optimum effects desired. Finding the correct balance of medications can be quite a task. More of this, less of that etc.

herames said:

the hobby isn't much of an uplifter as i would like it to be.

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I do not (speaking for myself), use this hobby as an uplifter. Sex can be as much of an addiction as any drug or gambling can be. I keep this hobby in perspective, so I do not fall into the addiction trap. If I do not have the money, I do not hobby. If one is using this hobby as an uplifter for problems elsewhere in their life, one may be addicted or on the road to addiction.

herames said:

chronic fatigue isn't far off and doctors easily ship you of to the pharmacy which i feel is just side stepping and bandaid-ing.

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Yes and no. It is important to find a doctor that actually has ones well being in mind (they are out there but quite hard to find). Drugs are a viable and good option when they are required. Are they always needed, no, but I do not feel medication is side stepping the issue, the same way a person who id a diabetic is not side stepping the issue by taking insulin. The goal of a qualified medical professional is to get results for the patient. Drugs do get results and as importantly, they are affordable.

herames said:

Its important you talk about you mental state to someone trained to consult. Hope things improve.

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I agree with this as well, but I might add it can be harder to do than one thinks. For example, I waited over five months to see a psychatrist for him to tell me that he was completely booked up and that I would have to go on a waiting list. Also, it is not easy to find someone (anyone), who you feel comfortable sharing your most personal, intimate feelings, worries and details of your life with. It took me the better part of two years. I went through several therapists before I found one who I was comfortable enough with. If one can do this, that is half the battle.