Post SSRI (Antidepressant) Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)

[JustinCase8]

I was wondering if a doctor could comment on the causes of Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) and possible treatments.  I am a member of the yahoo group but no one seems to really know of an effective treatment or really even the cause.  

I am fully convinced this is a real condition, I never once in my life even at the peak of my depression had sexual dysfunction problems, they started the day I took effexor and later zoloft.  Even after being off the medications for almost a year (it will be a year at the end of November) only a little function has recovered and orgasms are not nearly as intense.  

I am hoping to get advice from a doctor on this board and also raise awareness of this problem among the medical community.  Their have been several papers published in medical journals such as the journal of sexual medicine on this problem still very few doctors seem to know much about it.  

Thanks.

[JustinCase8]

bump . . .

[lisa768]

I don't believe in psycho-tropic medication, i believe it causes more problems than it treats. SSRI's have been known to cause sexual dysfunction "while your on them", but it usually subsides once you discontinue use. I think what your experiencing is a "negative psychological reaction", the medication caused the dysfunction and when you stopped taking it, the effects seem to stick with you psychologically. I would seek a medical professional to confirm whether this is psychosomatic or purely biological.

[Intrepid224]

I suffer from recurring bouts of depression but refuse to take any SSRIs even the newer ones. I can never orgasm on them. I am on mood stabilisers and they are great. No probs at all