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Paxil and Orgasms

Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.

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Paxil and Orgasms

by JB, Mar 25, 2000 12:00AM

Tags: Depression, mental, Health, Mental Health, dysfunction, ejaculation, erection, Sexual Dysfunction

I have been taking 40 mg of paxil every night for three months now. Before, when I was very depressed, I had interest in sex and had no trouble reaching an orgasm, at least 3-4 times a week. When I was on 20 mg it was difficult but not impossible. Now that I am on 40 mg daily it is almost impossible and I usually don't want to bother because it is so difficult to achieve and is not much fun when I get there. I am happier in a lot of other ways but am frustrated by this side effect. I am reluctant to change medications because I am afraid a different one won't work as well and I don't want to ever go back to the black hole where I was before. Question: what is the biochemical action that results in this side effect? I would think that someone who is not depressed would have better sex, not worse? Why does inhibiting the reuptake of seretonin effect me this way?

Doctor's Answer

by HFHS MD-JM, Mar 27, 2000 12:00AM

JB,

SSRI related sexual dysfunction is fairly common. The additon of Wellbutrin SR, Buspar and somtimes Ritalin are some of the possible medications that may improve your situation. Please discuss this issue further with your psychiatrist. It may also be helpful to search this forums archives using sexual dysfunction as a keyword.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: SSRI sexual dysfunction

Member Comments (9)

by me, Mar 26, 2000 12:00AM

This is a very common side effect of this drug, I refused to continue taking it for this very reason.

by Paul, Apr 01, 2000 12:00AM

I too have been struggling with inhibited ejaculation while on Paxil. I went to see may Doc, and he said we can cut the dose (which I did), or try Viagra ( which I did). Don't waste your time with the Viagra if you have no trouble getting an erection. An erection is easy for me -- ejaculation is not. In the past 6 months I've cut my dosage down from 60mg to 40mg with no significant result. I have now cut it down to 20mg, and although not the perfect solution, I am at least able to achieve orgasm maybe 40% of the time. I absolutly HATE this side effect of the drug. I would really like to know the physiological reasons why this occurs with people taking Paxil. To me, it feels like some sort of contsriction emanating from the region of my Paraneum.

by JB, Apr 02, 2000 12:00AM

I don't have trouble with erections because I am female...

by Paul, Apr 29, 2000 12:00AM

I suppose that the lack of erection or ejaculation is only a problem when your partner does not have one... that could be very depressing.

by Karen C., May 17, 2000 12:00AM

As a woman, I empathize. I have never been the same since I took Prozac for 3 months, some years ago. It stopped me in my tracks and I have never recovered to my previous ability. I have been on other medications, so some of it may be coming from them, too. It is a terrible loss. I feel like I traded depression relief for loss of my sexual self.

by bill, Aug 11, 2000 12:00AM

Ditto with Zoloft. Imipramine doesn't seem to effect the ability

to reach orgasm. It just made my heart race.

by Wenona, Sep 01, 2000 12:00AM

I had this problem. I went from low libido to none. It wasn't a problem when I was single but when I became involved with someone I talked to my dr. and welbutrin was added which in my case took care of that side effect.

by Tony, Oct 14, 2000 12:00AM

oh man, I've been there! It was terrible, I didn't know what was worse; depression or inability to ejaculate. Then I switched to Zoloft and I am now a very HAPPY and HORNY abled man!!

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