Paxil + Sex Drive

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2003
Paxil + Sex Drive
2
Wed, 12-03-2003 - 7:43pm
Hello all....This is my first time posting on this board and I have a question. On another board there was a discussion about being on Paxil and loss of orgasm and sex drive. One person made comment that these side effects did not go away when she came off of the drug but that they were permenent for her. I was wondering if anyone here had experienced this. Has anyone had any other problems with this antidepressent? I am currently taking it and am experiencing these side effects and am a little worried now because of what she said. I was on Wellbutrin for a while, which does not have any sexual side effects but I had terrible anxiety while taking that so I stopped. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2003
Wed, 12-03-2003 - 10:31pm
Hi there

I have been on Paxil for years. I should tell you that the correct equation is Paxil = no sex drive! lol

Seriously, I didn't realize that that was my problem. I was in a long term relationship, and I had no sexual interest. Now mind you, it wasn't the best relationship, either.

You can take a low dose of Wellbutrin to help with the low sex drive. I have never heard of the effects of low sex drive being permanent. I have done alot of research on depression and anti-depressants. And alot on Paxil since that is the one I am on. There is an antidepressant board, you might want to check there. You can also ask your pharmacist and/or doctor.

Pamela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Thu, 12-04-2003 - 12:46am
I had terrible anxiety on Wellbutrin too. I only took it for a few days because of that.

I'm on Paxil. I have been for over three years. While it has gotten rid of most of my anxiety and made me generally more peaceful, I have sexual side effects too. My sex drive is diminished. I guess I do have more difficulty with orgasm, but it's such low priority for me that it isn't something that worries me.

Paxil is quite addictive and is very difficult to wean yourself off of. When I go a day or two without it because I haven't gotten my prescription filled, I feel like someone is scraping the inside of my skin. It's not pain, just a visceral irritant. I feel a little crazy. It's a very specific feeling, though. I can tell that it's Paxil withdrawal. When I went on it, my doctor told me that it wasn't addictive. I found out on my own that it is. A year after I knew it was addictive, they announced on the news that studies show that it is actually addictive.

I won't go off of it because it improves my mood, which is my top priority. I also don't want to deal with the long adjustment phase. Life's tough enough, you know?

I've heard that Zoloft has similar properties without the same side effects and addiction. I don't know if that's true, or if they haven't discovered the problems yet.

The best thing that I can say is that my life is better on Paxil than it was off of it. That's all I care about.

Good Luck,

MariaC