Sex & Romance
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Anyone on Anxiety Meds?
I take a daily medication for anxiety and have for several years now. Tried coming off of it several times (with dr's assistance, etc.) and even tried switching to a different kind and it was plain horrible hell. I've come to the conclusion that I need this daily medication to live a normal daily life. Problem is - I have absolutely ZERO sex drive ... ZERO interest in sex ... I'm never "in the mood" ... I have no interest in it ... when I do just give in and do it anyways for my husband's sake I just fake it ... I'm pretty damn sure its because of this medication ... has anyone else experienced this?
Re: Anyone on Anxiety Meds?
SSRIs and SNRIs can really affect your sexual functioning. Drug makers like to claim a low rate of sexual side effects, but many people choose not to report libido or orgasm problems out of embarrassment. I would bet my next paycheck that most people taking SSRIs or SNRIs have some sort of sexual side effect. Have you spoken honestly with your doctor about the side effects you're experiencing? I had a similar issue and chose to take a different medication.
As far as I know, there isn't much you can do to restore sexual function other than to stop the meds. Some doctors will try adding Welbutrin to your current regimen, but from what I have read, that is usually unsuccessful. You may just need to decide how important it is to stay on the medication.
If you don't mind me asking, what med have you found success with?
I've been on Effexor XR for about 8 years ... works perfectly, except the sexual side effects of course ...
I took Effexor and liked the way it worked but the side effect was a deal-breaker for me. I take Welbutrin now and would never consider another SSRI or SNRI.
Hmm.. Maybe I should have another talk with my dr. about it. I'm just really afraid to switch b/c last time it was just horrible ... thanks for the advice though I do appreciate it alot!
I feel your frustration & have went through the same thing! For the last nine months I've been on Zoloft & it's been the most successful curbing my anxiety. The only thing that hasn't killed my libido was lexapro, but it wasn't enough to help my anxiety.... I've tried a couple of other things (sorry don't remember what they were off the top of my head) and switching is a nightmare.
I try to look at it this way - if I'm not on an SSRI I'm a mess and not a fun person to live with. My anxiety is so bad that I can't enjoy sex b/c I'm worried about something. At least when anxiety is under control I'm fun to be around and can focus on/enjoy sex when it does happen. I've also learned to just go with it sometimes, even if I don't think I'm in the mood I just let it happen & enjoy the bonding time with H. If I don't orgasm it's okay.
Speak to your Dr. about this. Sexual side effects should be reported just as if you were experiencing nausea, headaches or growing a third arm
. Sex is an important part of your relationship, which can affect quality of life in general. A lot of people seem to be embarassed about speaking about this with their doctors, but your doctors are there to help you and they have heard it all. (They will actually be GLAD that you are discussing this... If you're talking about sexual side effects, it's evident to them that it's likely you're not withholding other important feedback.) If your current Dr. can't or won't help, it may be time to find one that will.
There are other medications that CAN be stacked besides Wellbutrin. Depending on the SSRI you are on, inquire about Busiprone. You can also inquire about stepping down your dosage of whatever SSRI is working for you. A smaller dosge may work for curbing your anxiety but still allow you to lead a sexual life that falls somewhere closer to the "normal" mark on the scale (Wherever that resides for you..)
Having been on Lexapro myself and successfully getting off after a short time I understand your pain. The meds helped me battle anxiety, but just as much as it helped me deal with the "lows" in my life, it didn't allow me to enjoy any of the "highs" in life. Life was simply an existance, or a flatline. When it came to sex, I had no interest and those times I did try and have sex, getting to the finish line was pretty much out of the question.
I have taken Zoloft, Lexapro and Wellbutrin, currently on Pristiq and Buspirone, all but Wellbutrin have caused lack of sex drive, and Wellbutrin was great at first, even elevating it to above normal, lol, but after about 6 months it dropped again.
I have come to the same conclusion about myself, that I need them to just function normally, but the lack of sex drive really sucks. Sorry youre experiencing this, but sadly it seems to be a norm :[
It is quite sad that this issue appears to be a norm with many women ... I hate to switch my medication when I know that mine (effexor xr) works so well for me and the withdraw and change can be hell. I've also, as pp mentioned, heard the advice that even if you aren't in the mood for sex you should try it anyways and then you may be within 5 min or so ... it just seems like such a hassle to me (now whether that be a side effect or what, IDK) but I just dont have any interest in that department ... its sad, but also sort of just feels like a part of reality to me ...
Thanks for the advice and support ladies. I'm glad to hear it isn't just me (though feel bad it happens to others as well). I'll report the side effects to my dr. so she is aware but idk yet about trying to switch, we'll see
Hmmm interesting, I haven't ever made a connection about when I take the meds, though I take them in the morning and they are XR so they slowly last all day, but I'll try to see if theres a difference during diff times of day, thx!