Genital anesthesia from effexor xr

Hi,
Last year I was on effexor xr for 3 months and my highest dose was 150 mg.  During my treatment with the medication I noticed the common sexual side effects. I was still able to have an erection and ejaculate (although it took longer). Masturbating also did not feel as good, but I suppose this can be normal as well. However, about one to two weeks quitting the drug I noticed my penis has become less senstive and feeling pleasure has become much more difficult. I did a testosterone, Lsh, fsh blood test, everything was normal. I'm not diabetic, or had any injuries that would inflict this. Does serotonin or dopamine play a role in sensations? What can possibly cause me to have genital anesthesia.? I had one doctor tell me I have somatoform disorder, another say a form of general anxiety disorder, and a web group on yahoo are also experiencing this from ssri's. I don't know who to believe, if its a type of somatoform disorder or from the medication. When I was on the med I had reduced sensation, but not as bad as after I stopped taking the drug.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

There is no question that ssri's effect the pleasure/pain centers, and also no question that very odd and unexplainable things like this come up during and after taking ssri's.  There is also the strong possibility that the genital sensitivity  issues are purely mental in the way that they symbolically express and continue the physiological experience you had while on the medication.  The best thing you can do is to explore your sexual feelings and fears with a therapist, and then see what happens to your symptoms.

[joe8seconds]

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