I get depressed quite often and I am now thinking of seeing my doctor about getting anti-depressants. I am really shy and don’t like seeing the doctor unless I really need to.
I’d like to know how common sexual side effects (such as erectile dysfunction and lower se drive) occur with SSRI’s and whether changing from one anti-depressant to another would reduce side effects if they did occur.
Related posts:
- Sexual side efects of anti-depressants?
- People who have used anti depressants: did you have sexual side affects?
- How long does prozac stay in your system and how long after you stop taking it do the side effects continue?
- SSRI sexual side effects?
- do all antidepressants have the same side effects on the same person?
January 31st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
yes! there can be side effects ! be careful when you decide to use or not to use anti-depressants!
anyway year ago my husband suffered very much from Erectile Dysfunction too and he started trying everything you can imagine to stop Erectile Dysfunction. the things that really work is:
1) Increase your intake of L-arginine. Your body uses this amino acid to produce nitric oxide. This substance will allow for the relaxation of smooth muscle surrounding the penis’ blood vessels, dilating them and increasing blood flow. This increased blood flow should encourage erections.
L-arginine can be found naturally through food such as: poultry, meat, dairy products and fish. It can also be purchased in tablet form as a supplement. However, it should be noted that high doses of L-arginine can result in stomach complaints as it increases the production of gastrin, which is the hormone responsible for producing stomach acid. If you suffer from ulcers it could exacerbate your problems, so you would be wise to steer clear of this treatment option.
2) Ginko is particularly effective in men who are suffering ED as a result of anti-depressants. Like L-arginine, it relaxes smooth muscle around the penis’ blood vessels which can increase blood flow.
3) Ensure you are getting enough zinc in your diet by enjoying food such as: oysters, meats, cold-water fish, beans and nuts. Zinc absorption is better in people who have a diet richer in protein than in plants, so make sure you’re getting enough meats, poultry, eggs, fish and nuts. Diabetes, digestive disorders and some kidney and liver diseases can cause a siginificant depletion of the mineral zinc which has been shown to lead to erectile dysfunction.
4) Alcohol, drugs (prescription & recreational) and smoking can increase likelihood of suffering from erectile dysfunction. It’s best to cut out alcohol, recreational drugs and smoking from your routine to improve your chances of overcoming this problem. If you’re concerned about the impact of prescription drugs on your sexual performance, speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
5) Pelvic floor exercises have been shown to assist in treating ED. These exercises strengthen the muscles around the base of the penis. One study of 55 men showed that after 3 months, there was a marked improvement in men who followed these exercises. To do this at home, tighten your pelvic floor muscles as though you’re trying to stop yourself from passing gas. You can also try and practicing retracting your penis and lifting your scrotum only using your pelvic floor muscles.
6) also you must use herbal treatment because you can not always live 100% healthy…!!!
in that case CaliPlus is really good (probably the best) product that helps against Erectile Dysfunction!
CaliPlus contains an effective composition of herbs that triggers the sex glands and increases blood accumulation in the erectile tissues (Corpora Cavernosa and Corpus Spongiosum) and thus produces strong erections.
I do not know if any pharmacies carry CaliPlus but I do know that you should purchase it directly from the manufacturer and read more about the product here
http://www.caliplus.com/?id=aa0a2e
It worked and still works for him!
http://www.naturalherbalmedicine.org/index.php
January 31st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Well I’m a chick but when i first went on antidepressant’s I couldn’t have an orgasm. So i told my doctor and he changed the prescription and the side effects went away within a few days or so. Just let your doc know and he/she should change the prescription to an antidepressant that has no sexual side effects.
Good luck
January 31st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
The can happen. But side effects only affect a certain percentage of people, so you might not even be one of them.
Being depressed takes a real toll on you sex drive, you might even see an improvement.
More and more, we are seeing evidence that SSRIs are not always the best choice for depression. They seem to work well for generalized anxiety, and you can have more than one problem at a time.
Sometimes side effects are most prominent during the first few weeks of treatment until your body adjusts. Work closely with your doctor, and be honest about your progress and symptoms.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Around 30%, but ANTIDEPRESSANT INDUCED sexual dysfunction can sometimes be PERMANENT, including not only anorgasmia, but the inability to have an erection, in males. Identifying the cause often leads to the best course of action. Was there a triggering event? If so, it is probably reactive (situational) depression: counselling, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may be indicated, but most of life’s adverse situations are resolved within 16 weeks, yet the medical criteria for depression, and the prescription of antidepressants is only 2 weeks!. Or, was it a more gradual thing, with no apparent cause? (a nutritional deficiency, hypothyroidism, environmental toxicity, or reactions to some medications, such as Advil (ref: Mercola.com) etc., becomes more likely as the cause). St. John’s wort helps most people; tolerance doesn’t develop, and the few side effects don’t occur often, and even then are normally not severe (neither antidepressants, nor the wort, nor supplements should be relied on as a sole treatment). It doesn’t cause sleeping problems, or weight change, but usually takes at least 2, and generally 4 – 6 weeks to become effective, but can sometimes work quicker than antidepressants. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10759336?dopt=Abstract A recent, independent German double blind study showed it to be as effective as a commonly prescribed antidepressant, in cases of major depression, with far fewer side effects, and those were generally better tolerated, with a lower rate of discontinuation.
Unlike antidepressants, where sexual dysfunction is a common side effect, it happens much more rarely with St. John’s Wort (I didn’t experience any). A multidimensional approach to treating depression without medication follows. All except for no. (7.) are safe to use with medication, but not SJW, because of interactions, and it’s sensible to check out anything else first, like Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, or supplements, such as SAMe, 5HTP, or L-phenylalanine, with your doctor. (1.) Take at least 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily: (certified free of mercury) it is best if consumed with an antioxidant, such as an orange, or its FRESHLY SQUEEZED juice. If vitamin E is added, it should be certified as being 100% from natural sources, or it may be synthetic: avoid it! In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see http://www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR: enter: "vitamin D3". Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com – "vitamin D3; testing". Also take a vitamin B complex which is certified as being 100% of natural origin; the deficiency in vitamin B9 (folate, or folic acid) that most depressed people have, is known to cause depression. Around 30% – 40% of depressed people have low vitamin B12 levels.
(2.) Work up slowly to at least 20 minutes of daily exercise, or 30 – 60 mns, 5 times weekly in daytime, outside. Too much exercise can cause stress, which isn’t wanted when dealing with depression. (3.) Occupational therapy (keeping busy allows little time for unproductive introspection, and keeps mental activity out of less desirable areas of the brain). (4.) Practice a relaxation method, daily, and when needed, such as: (free) http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html or http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/mindbody/a/Meditation.htm or http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate or Tai Chi, Qi Gong, or yoga. Give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free at http://www.emofree.com Professional is best. – There is a version for use in public places, (if you want to, you can claim to have a headache, as you use the acupressuremassage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising (repeating it to yourself in your mind) "Even though I suffer from depression, I deeply and completely accept myself." (5.) Initially, at least, some form of psychotherapy or counselling; later, perhaps either Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy, (a free E course in it, which may well reduce the time needed in therapy, as should *, & ** is at: http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome ) or Rational Emotive Behavio(u)ral Therapy for, say, 6 months. (6.) Maintain a mood chart, and daily activities schedule**. (7.) As options, if desired, either a known, effective herbal remedy, such as St. John’s wort, (get a German variety, if possible; local ones may vary in effectiveness. Jarsin, Perika, and Kira brands have been recommended as being effective.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
I take generic Wellbutrin SR (150 mg) in the morning, and Lexapro (10 mg) with dinner, for depression and anxiety. I’ve been taking that for over two years, and it’s working very well for me.
The Wellbutrin SR seems to help me to be more alert and active – and wanting to do things – while the Lexapro makes me more mellow, and it helps me sleep better, too. They are relatively low doses of each medication, which keeps side effects at a minimum. I really can’t tell I’m taking any medication at all.
A lot of people take Wellbutrin with their SSRI’s, it helps to counteract the side effects people sometimes have with them – such as the drowsiness, weight gain, and the sexual side effects.