Blunted orgasmic response.

[IdasMum]

I have Google searched this before writing here. Not easy to write about which is why my search came up with results from men taking anabolic steroids and nothing from women taking Prednisolone.

I have not lost interest in sex....not even during menopause. What appears to have been lost with steroids is my ability to orgasm. I could say more but it seems a bit delicate and exposing.

It had occurred to me that steroids were the problem as in my previous life as a Mental Health Nurse I can recall those on anti-depressants reporting similar side affects.

My purpose for sharing it here are to open up a difficult subject and add it to the wealth of knowledge on here.

[polkadotcom]

Not sure if you will get much in the way of answers (but I have been wrong in the past). In the grand scheme of things if that were my only problematic side effect I wouldn't be worrying about it.

[SheffieldJane]

It's brave of you to open up the subject. Pred. Impacts on so many things including a sex life if you can be bothered to keep this going. In my experience it does impact on sensitivity but I haven't even mentioned this to medics. So much else seems to be worse in its negative impact. I am not sure that the millennials ( female) would be so accepting of this loss. We've raised some pretty demanding women.

[IdasMum in reply to SheffieldJane]

lol...the millennials. I hadn't thought about them and you're right, I doubt that they will take the loss so easily.

It isn't something I will be mentioning to my dr. I was just sharing an observation really. I prefer to be free of other symptoms and feel well to be worrying about another side effect.

[Doralouise77 in reply to IdasMum]

I'm curious as to why you wouldn't mention this to your doctor unless it's just the embarrassment which I understand....but if it's because you don't think it's important, if people report these things perhaps there will be some knowledge base accumulated which would benefit everyone......

Cheers

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say - PMR pain itself alone had a fairly devastating impact on my sex life! And various sorts of pred had differing effects on libido.

[Admiral06]

IdasMum,

The steroids effectively neutered me as well. My testosterone and sex hormone levels are normal, as is my interest, so my physician prescribed ED medications. Viagra provided no clinical response and I had an allergic reaction which included a serious asthma attack, acid reflux and hives. Once a day Cialis started to show promise, but I experienced trembling as a side effect and had to discontinue use. I just told my physician today that the most exciting that happens to me now is that I give my wife a good crack on the bottom when she bends over to turn the vacuum cleaner on. After a hearty laugh, the advice was "ya gotta take what ya can get"; then more laughter. Though I am now 70, I never felt older than 50 and really hate to end this part of my life.

[IdasMum]

Admiral06 In many ways it is more difficult for a man as your loss is visible. Many women over the years have been able to fake orgasm. I have no need to do that and no desire to yet should I wish to, I can hide my loss.

I think, in answer to your question Doralouise77 regarding discussing with my doctor, I am not too bothered in the scheme of things so wouldn't want to be putting it on the agenda as something needing a solution.