![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
I'm a 34 year-old male currently taking 80 mg of Celexa and 2250 mg of Depakote each day. I also take Synthroid and Mavik (high blood pressure).
My problem is not with getting or staying erect. It's that I can't climax most of the time. I know that these drugs can have sexual side effects, but I'm not sure if that means erection problems, lack of libido, or my problem. Is the inability to climax typical, and what are some treatment options? I've recently become sexually active after a long celibacy, so I'd really like to get this straightened out (SOON!).
Thanks in advance for your help!
Posted by Sad Panda on September 27, 2004, at 10:18:19
In reply to Is this a typical sexual side effect?, posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
> I'm a 34 year-old male currently taking 80 mg of Celexa and 2250 mg of Depakote each day. I also take Synthroid and Mavik (high blood pressure).
>
> My problem is not with getting or staying erect. It's that I can't climax most of the time. I know that these drugs can have sexual side effects, but I'm not sure if that means erection problems, lack of libido, or my problem. Is the inability to climax typical, and what are some treatment options? I've recently become sexually active after a long celibacy, so I'd really like to get this straightened out (SOON!).
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>It's called anorgasmia & it's a typical side effect of Celexa & other SSRI's that affects men & women. You could try talking a reduced doseage or skip a dose of Celexa before sex, or you could add another drug to fix the problem.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by yznhymer on September 27, 2004, at 10:27:20
In reply to Is this a typical sexual side effect?, posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
> I'm a 34 year-old male currently taking 80 mg of Celexa and 2250 mg of Depakote each day. I also take Synthroid and Mavik (high blood pressure).
>
> My problem is not with getting or staying erect. It's that I can't climax most of the time. I know that these drugs can have sexual side effects, but I'm not sure if that means erection problems, lack of libido, or my problem. Is the inability to climax typical, and what are some treatment options? I've recently become sexually active after a long celibacy, so I'd really like to get this straightened out (SOON!).
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
Sad Panda summed it up nicely. Its typical and all too common. For me its a deal killer. I haven't found any way to ameliorate this side effect, though some people have had success with adding other medications. There are some ADs that don't usually produce anorgasmia, notably Wellbutrin anad moclobemide (available in Canada and Europe).
Posted by verne on September 27, 2004, at 10:54:34
In reply to Is this a typical sexual side effect?, posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
I'm taking cymbalta and inderal and you've described the side effects I'm having. There's some ability but zero chance of orgasim. Very frustrating since my libido has increased.
I'm hoping a lower dose will solve this problem.
verne
Posted by ron1953 on September 27, 2004, at 12:21:26
In reply to Is this a typical sexual side effect?, posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
Undercat:
Same story here. My pdoc prescribed 5mg Dexedrine to be taken 1/2 hour before sex (yeah, I know that takes some of the sponteneity out of it). It helped.
Posted by lia mason on September 27, 2004, at 20:08:52
In reply to Re: Is this a typical sexual side effect? » undercat, posted by ron1953 on September 27, 2004, at 12:21:26
This is very common. In my case, it went away after many months on Effexor XR. Years ago, I added Ritalin to Prozac and it helped a lot. There are a bunch of add-ons to be tried if the problem doesn't go away. Dr. Richard Brown who wrote "Stop Depression Now" has some alternative stuff he likes... a root called maca, I think and something else in the herb/plant family. Brown is a big advocate of Sam-e for depression and this has (for me anyway) no sexual side effects and worked well but is EXPENSIVE. A lot of docs use Wellbutrin to restore orgasm, but that didn't work for me. Others use Buspar... You have options.
Posted by robot on September 27, 2004, at 20:14:49
In reply to Is this a typical sexual side effect?, posted by undercat on September 27, 2004, at 9:49:25
Its almost certain I think with SSRI's. I had a long celibacy too, and when I finally got a girlfriend I couldnt enjoy it. It was like an impenetrable barrier between myself and the orgasm.NOw she's gone, and now I can climax! (Due to Wellbutrin--docs often add this to other AD's. Get yr doc to try it.)
What irony.
Finally I just got rid of the Lexapro. If you add something else like Wellbutrin (SNRI/SDRI?) for the sexual effects you might find, like I did, its the kind of AD you really needed anyway. I would only stay on an SSRI if its REALLY helping you. If not, its just not worth the $ or the sexlessness.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.