libido and antidepressants

[logix]

hi everybody,

i've been lurking here for awhile and finally have something i'd like to know.

my wife has been taking antidepressants for about 9 months and her libido has become non-existant. we used to have a healthy sex life and i would say her libido was above average. would libido boosting pills help or are they a scam?

 

[pplwatching]

hi everybody,

i've been lurking here for awhile and finally have something i'd like to know.

my wife has been taking antidepressants for about 9 months and her libido has become non-existant. we used to have a healthy sex life and i would say her libido was above average. would libido boosting pills help or are they a scam?

Loss of libido is a common side effect of anti-depressant medications. Her Dr may be able to adjust the prescription, but "libido boosting" pills won't help. Most are considered "dietary supplements" and don't have clinical trials to back up their claims. In fact, some may be harmful and cause interactions with the drugs. Your best bet is to talk with her Doctor. Unfortunately, sometimes the need to control the depression is more important than libido and you should be prepared to hear that from the Dr.

Good luck.

 

[SweetErika]

Sorry, double post due to Lit freaking out.

 

[SweetErika]

She needs to talk to her doctor about this. Her lack of libido could be a result of the medication or residual depression. If it's the medication, there's at least one anti-depressant that has a very low risk of sexual side effects, or perhaps her doctor could lower her dose or taper her off her current medication.

Also, has she had her hormones checked recently, or has anything likely affected her hormones (pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, etc.)?

Supplements aren't regulated and could very well interfere with her other medication(s) or cause severe side effects, so she definitely needs to talk to her doctor about that before adding anything new into the mix.

Whether any given "libido pill" works or not is up for grabs. Certain herbs and combinations can work for some people, but who knows if they'd work for your wife? I'm guessing nothing is likely to overcome the effects of the anti-depressant, though. In addition to that, a lot of supplements contain inferior ingredients, or the wrong parts of plants (like the leaves instead of the flower, which is the effective part). Personally, I think if anything really worked that great, people would be shouting it from the rooftops, since plenty of women and men have low libido at various points in their lives and would love to find something to help with that.

Rather than buying some random pills, I'd suggest working with both your wife's doctor and a really good Naturopathic M.D. to see what might work for her if changing her current medication doesn't work or isn't feasible for some reason.

 

[logix]

thanks for the info.

we will see her doctor and ask about hormone testing too. she has also put on weight since starting the meds and i am sure it does have an effect on her self image. its a bit ironic that pills to make you feel better about life make you feel worse about your body.

 

[NightL]

thanks for the info.

we will see her doctor and ask about hormone testing too. she has also put on weight since starting the meds and i am sure it does have an effect on her self image. its a bit ironic that pills to make you feel better about life make you feel worse about your body.

Always ask questions... always question...

Some antidepressants are a factor in low libido... some medications contribute to weight gain.

I am not saying anything different than SweetErika... just reinforcing it... there are always alternatives... even within the mainstream health approach.

Both of you... go to the doctor and state your concerns... ask... question...

If you feel you are being brushed off... get other opinions... Don't let one 30 minute doctor's appointment finalise these highly life impacting factors.

Your wife, with your support, must be in charge of this situation... take control...

 

[DrHappy]

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that will boost libido in some people. Wellbutrin can be somewhat stimulating. If I remember correctly, it's not the best for some with racing thoughts. anxiety, or anger. I know someone who is taking it along with another antidepressant. This person originally was taking a SSRI which killed her libido. She spoke to doctor about this issue and the doctor prescribed the Wellbutrin in addition to the SSRI. Her libido returned to normal with the Wellbutrin added. I'd recommend that she talk to her doctor about it.

 

[_Virginia_]

I've been on antidepressants for 20 years (at least a dozen different ones) and low libido is a pretty common side effect of many antidepressants. I hesitate to recommend a certain medication because everyone reacts differently to medication - but she should definitely talk to her doctor about possibly switching to a different medication. There are SO many options - hopefully her doctor can find one that works for her with minimal side effects.

I don't know whether supplements to enhance libido work - but I would NOT recommend trying them without clearing them with her doctor first. Even supplements that are "all-natural" could potentially react adversely with the antidepressant that your wife is taking.

I know that finding the right medication can really be a struggle (I'm still struggling after 20 years) - good luck to you both.

 

[Star of Penumbra]

I took Paxil for a few years when I was a teenager. I didn't notice any difference in my sex dive while I was taking that, but later I switched to Wellbutrin, and I DID notice it had an effect- namely, it made me pretty much numb. I could still get an erection, but it could take upwards of forty minutes of masturbation to have an orgasm. So... yeah, from what I've heard, stuff like this is hardly uncommon.

You might try talking to her about trying a different prescription. Aside from that... the only advice I can think of is along the lines of "buy a Fleshlight."

 

[bichriscanada]

Hi There,

I have been on anti-depressants for 5 years now. They can lower your libido, and unfortunately libido boosting pills will not work. Her Doctor can usually recommend another medication to counteract that side effect.

Myself, personally, I have to work at it. Quite hard actually. I find if I force myself to get into the mood (lots of foreplay), I am then ready. But it's taking that first step thats the hardest. Thankfully my wife is very understanding.

Hopefully this helps?

 

[Gaddy]

Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that will boost libido in some people.

I can attest to this. I'm on Wellbutrin, and it certainly hasn't lessened my libido. I'm still good to go.

 

[bone251]

I have been on several anti depressants and anti seizure drugs.

Pain in the as because me desire never wanes but my ability to have an O is challenged.

I take micro doses once or twice a week that seems to help,

 

[lauren26f]

hi everybody,

i've been lurking here for awhile and finally have something i'd like to know.

my wife has been taking antidepressants for about 9 months and her libido has become non-existant. we used to have a healthy sex life and i would say her libido was above average. would libido boosting pills help or are they a scam?

Talk to the doc.

 

[Lilac_Sky]

I can attest to this. I'm on Wellbutrin, and it certainly hasn't lessened my libido. I'm still good to go.

Another vote for Wellbutrin ... was on a different med and it killed my libido so i did some research and asked my doctor about switching to wellbutrin .... now, my libido is back!