Question about antidepressants and lessened libido

Reduced libido is a possible side effect of antidepressants, but it's by no means a sure thing. When I was taking antidepressants I didn't notice any change in my libido, which I was pleased about.

If you do find that your prescribed antidepressants are affecting your libido, don't be afraid to ask if there is an alternative that you could try. Doctors and psychiatrists have a range of antidepressants they can prescribe now and it's not unusual for them to try something different if a patient talks about side effects. If you are too shy to talk about it you could write it down instead. Alternatively, you could refer to side effects in a more general way. Rather than going into specifics, you could say someting like:
"I am finding that this medication is really numbing my feelings and making me more sluggish and disinterested. I'm worried that it's actually suppressing my inclination to enjoy things that make it easier to cope. Could I try something different, maybe with fewer side effects?."

What do you think? Might this work?

 

I've recently been prescribed antidepressants because of anxiety and mood swings. But my doctor told me that the sexual side effects can be quite strong and they can last long sometimes indefinitely even after people have stopped taking the tablets. I've been told there's other drugs or techniques that people can use to reverse this effect but honestly it's made me nervous even though I need the help. So I can completely understand where you're coming from here.

 

I believe permanent sexual side effects are rare, if that's any consolation. You could always switch to a different kind of drug like Wellbutrin or mirtazapine.

 

I agree that the side effects people have can vary. Different people tell me different things about their experiences with them. Usually they talk about weight changes, emotional detachment, and sex drive.

I have been on sertraline since it was Zoloft. It didn't dent my sex drive at all. It lessened the downturns and I did feel detachment. I may have missed out on a lot because of the emotional blunting.

I have been on bupropion as well for half a year now. I don't know how it affects my sex drive. There was a slight downturn before I started it, so I started seeing it with just the sertraline. I credit this to getting older more than anything else. The bupropion has made me less depressed, prone to slight weight loss, but it has made me too relaxed. I've never felt this calm and indifferent before.

I might consider an adjustment, but this is a better place for me nonetheless. But I won't ask for one just yet. Adjustments of mental health medications are common as many more of them become available. Don't be afraid to ask for what will get you to where you want to be. You'll know when it's working out for you.

 

Lack of libido might not be only related to antidepressants, Rain. If there are other things in your life that are stressful - and living as trans in the closet and gradually coming out is pretty stressful - that may have something to do with it too..

Beth x