low sex drive

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
low sex drive
3
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 10:34am
i need help with a problem i have...i am a 31 year old woman with a normally active sex drive...i just started taking an anti-depressant called Effexor over a month ago and one of the possible side effects to it is a change in sexual function...well i've noticed that my sex drive has gone down the toilet...i don't have the desire nor the energy to please my partner(nothing against him...he's a very good-looking man) or myself...my partner is very understanding and supportive and has urged me to not be hard on myself as we knew that this could happen with this drug...i love to please myself and my parnter and i feel very guilty when i cannot do anything...can anyone give me some tips or advice about this...anything would help at this point...
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 10:58am

First are you SURE you need the anti-depressant? Were you given any tests for depression before they were prescribed? There are tests available to check your brain chemistry, and unless you're "clinically" depressed, you probably don't need the antidepressants. Everyone goes thru periods of feeling down, feeling sad, feeling blue, but that doesn't always require medication.

Second, there are many different brands and formulations of antidepressants out there, and you need to talk to your doctor about changing brands.

Wellbutrin is supposed to have less sexual side effects than most others do. Ask your doctor if you can try that.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:14am

I agree with the PP, that is definately one of the side effects of many anti-depressants. And, for me...Wellbutrin has the opposite effect - I can't get enough, and it helps with my depression issues.

Talk to your doctor, there are alternatives.

 

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-23-2004
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:43pm

I agree with the others, talk to your doctor about possibly switching AD meds.


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