Depression/Wellbutrin/Sexual Side Effects

I am asking this question as a concerned husband.  My wife was diagnosed with depression/anxiety as a teenager (about 13-14 years ago.)  She took Prozac??  for several years before taking herself off in her early twenties before we met.  Our relationship has been up and down for years, due in large part to her illness (my opinion.)  I finally talked her into seeing a doctor about getting on some medication (she resisted for years.)  The doctor over the phone called in a prescription for.....  I can't remember which one.  Xanex maybe???  She wasn't happy with that one and finally met with the doctor about getting her medication changed after two prescriptions.  I asked her to talk to the doctor about her lack of sex drive which is about non-existant (we had sex less than 10 times in 2003 and right on pace for 2004- sucks to be me!)  She told me that the doctor told her that is normal with ALL depression medication.  I've read and heard things about Wellbutrin that it shouldn't have sexual side effects.  Is this true in all cases?  Does a small percentage of the population experience sexual side effects with Wellbutrin?  Is there something else she can try?  The medication seems to be OK.  We actually get along pretty well, but the no sex issue is weighing heavily on my happiness and self esteem.  If we could get past the sex issue life would be great.  Any thoughts, insights, or comments would be most helpful.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Wellbutrin is reported to have almost no sexual side effects and that is why it is the commonest replacement for the other antidepressants.  The problem is the issue of absolute and how that is determined. What I mean is that lack of sexual interest is also a symptom of depression, not just a side effect of the medication.  It is also a symptom of a problem in the relationship. If I were you, I would seriously think about marital counseling rather than medication.

[tangy]

i have tried over a dozen different meds for depression, and wellbutrin does have, as the tv commercial says, "a low incidence of sexual side effects".

please do not assume that it will not adversely affect your spouse's sex drive.  it can and will.  i had fewer side effects from wellbutrin, but it still affected my ability to orgasm.  i now take lexapro, which does not affect my libido very much either.

my solution has been to use a vibrator while we have intercourse.  no living creature (including me) should have to work that hard to make me ***.  if it wasn't for the toys, i would have a crippling case of carpal tunnel syndrome by now.

[bpciprez]

My wife does not have a problem having an orgasm when we have sex.  The hard part is getting her to want to have sex.  When we do have sex there is virtually no foreplay, no kissing, or anything.  She gets off as fast as she can and that's it.  What do I do???

[SMSIRL]

I Think the doc got it right when he advised counseling, this may well bring about improvement.

However, also contemplate :

If your wife had a physical illness that prevented having sex what would you do?

..... Well she does it's called depression - it effects even your physical wellbeing

If you became impotent and your wife wanted sex, how would her demand for sex make you feel - more likely to have sex? How safe would you feel in your relationship? Would that not make you depressed and therefore less likly to want sex.

After a very active sexual relationship, for the last 7 years my partner has not been physically able to have sex. What do I do - I thank my lucky stars that I've still got my partner and that they are otherwise unharmed by their illness. Yes I'd love sex but I rather have my partner. I hope [I know] that if I was in their position they would put me first not sex.

[Racing Crab]

To SMSIRL
That was a compassionate unselfish comment and your partner is very lucky to have someone that thinks in that way...i hope this person that asked the question gets the message clear...just one question for u if u could answer for me...r u a man or a woman...was wondering?  *smile*

[SMSIRL]

Man :)

[baghutch]

I'd been on Wellbutrin XL for about 4 months when I started noticing a dive in my sex drive. I had no interest in sex and had difficulty becoming aroused. I felt like a robot and had to "talk myself" into wanting sex. I read a lot about Wellbutrin and how it is prescribed for people who experience sexual side effects with other drugs, and couldn't understand why it was affecting me this way. When I got off the medication this past July, my sex drive bounced back completely.

I've been off almost a month and am feeling down in the dumps. I really want to go back on it, but don't think I can handle the stress it put on my relationship, sexually. Am feeling very frusturated. Any advice out there? I am glad to hear that I am not the only one with this issue.