SSRI’s ruining my sex life

[Oneanxiousgirl]

As long as I can remember I’ve had anxiety. I was diagnosed with aneorexia when I was 12. A big component of that was also OCD and anxiety. I was on Prozac and Zyprexa during that time. In my early teens I was no longer prescribed either but continued with therapy. Throughout high school I was always anxious and stressed but never considered going back on medication, until I had a nervous breakdown in college. I went to the psych unit for a week to get put back on Prozac immediately. I’ve been on it ever since. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider the significant impact it would have on my sex life and long term relationship with my boyfriend. He’s only known me while being on Prozac. I stopped for five months but there was no remote appearance of my drive returning. I’m back on it now as it did not go well being off of it. But I’m desperate to have best of both worlds, reduction in my anxiety and a sex drive like the average person. I’ve been to psychiatrists who just have basically told me to accept this horrible relationship dampening side effect. Help!

[ksquig]

I can completely relate and wish I could offer a solution. I’ve found that some of the SSRIs vary regarding the intensity of this side effect (so you could experiment with different SSRIs to see what works best). I’ve also heard buspar (anti anxiety medication) doesn’t have that side effect. Good luck!

[Oneanxiousgirl in reply to ksquig]

Thank you! I was on buspar and Prozac 5 or so years ago. But never just Buspar

[rayana]

Hi, I can completely relate to that. As someone with depression who has also experienced an eating disorder, I found that my libido improved when I started caring for my health in a non-obsessive way. I think that the weight I gained while on medication made me feel like somehow I didn’t deserve to receive pleasure. It’s a horrible feeling that is completely irrational. If you think that your libido may somehow be related to how comfortable you feel with your body, it might be work following some forms of self compassion. I listen to some meditation audio notes, if you’d like some recommendations.

[pink83737]

I know how you feel. It sucks!