[Eva33]

Since I've been on medication for BP (mood stabilizer, antidepressant, anti-anxiety), my sex drive has remained the same. Actually it might be a bit higher now that I'm starting to regulate my personality a bit better and my ups and downs are not as high and low as they used to be.

But despite how much stimulation I receive even during self-pleasure, nothing helps. I get too frustrated and just end up giving up, feeling defeated. My sexuality is a big part of who I am and this is the first time I've had this problem.

Now, I know some of you have said that you have absolutely NO sex drive at all and do not ever desire sex. I don't feel that. I haven't been with someone in 2 years, but now that I'm feeling some what regular (whatever that means), I'm ready to jump back in the saddle again. But with this problem, I feel it'll be a let down for not only me but any future partners.

I'm just basically looking for advice, experiences, or anything related to this issue. Is it forever? Because if it is, I think I'll cry.

[Love&Toil]

Commiserating.

Is there a certain super hot fantasy you can use? I find that helps me. Without hot fantasies, it can be very difficult if not impossible to have an orgasm.

I too used to find my sexuality a huge part of my personality. I used to be very good looking and quite seductive... now I am overweight and hemmed in by responsibilities and being "a good mother and good wife". (eyesroll grumble grumble - hee hee)

Meds making orgasms a lot more difficult has changed my sex life in huge ways. I had to change the way I expressed my sexuality and how I shared my sexuality with my partner. For me (TMI alert so avert your gaze if it makes you uncomfortable) an industrial vibrator is necessary and I use it with my partner because that's the ONLY way I can get off with him. It's kind of sad because I used to come with penetration ALL THE TIME. Eventually I came to accept these changes... not to like them... but accept them. And try to figure out how to make things hot/hotter for myself and with my partner. I haven't figured it all out yet though. I think it involves a kind of going back to puberty where you have to explore yourself and find out what works for you. Because you are a different "you" now than you were.

Best wishes on your journey.

I can orgasm if I am aroused, watching porn and masturbating. I haven't has an orgasm with a partner in a long time.

[Turtlesoup]

I've had this problem with Zoloft & paxil in the past-right now I am orgasmic but it takes longer & sometimes takes a little invention to get there-can understand how you feel-sexuality is a big part of who I am & my husband & I are very sexually active. What I've done in the past when it was difficult (or didn't happen) was be very open with my husband (easy part) & rethink what sex means to me & what I wish to convey to my partner (little more difficult). When I let go of the orgasm being the be all end all & relaxed & just enjoyed how everything feels & the bond we have & really enjoy the foreplay part & snuggling etc. I found I didn't feel like I was being denied something. Also I found I did better in the morning as enough time had elapsed between the offending med & sex. You can also discuss this with your doctor in regards to a med holiday which I have read about but would not try without pdoc ok-you like skip a dose. Hope some of that helps.

[athena.csu.1987]

I have had trouble in this area. I stopped Celexa and I think I got sexual amnesia but when I got back on meds it got better. I still don't have the drive I used to have but I think pain is a big culprit for that. Thank god my husband has been patient with me. We are working on it together. I think if I work out and loose some lbs that will help. I went to the gym today and I was amazed with how I felt. Have been waiting for energy but after a few minutes of working out i feel like I have felt happier then I have felt in a long time.

[Wander]

Anti-Depressants have reduced my sex drive and some even made it impossible for me to orgasm. Do you have any idea which med(if any) could be the culprit here? Maybe a med adjustment would help. Would you feel comfortable talking with your psychiatrist about this?

[Turtlesoup]

Originally Posted by Wander

Would you feel comfortable talking with your psychiatrist about this?

Since I had this experience in the past it was one of the first things I discussed with my new pdoc-she never batted an eye & was very open about potential side effects & the whole sexuality is an important part of life-I actually found her much easier to talk to than my regular doctor. It did take a lot of patience on my part & trying different meds but that seems to be the norm with all psych meds. Hope that helps.

[Moogieotter]

I've been instructed that Gingko supplements can help with this side effect from SSRIs. Not sure if true.

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Wander

Anti-Depressants have reduced my sex drive and some even made it impossible for me to orgasm. Do you have any idea which med(if any) could be the culprit here? Maybe a med adjustment would help. Would you feel comfortable talking with your psychiatrist about this?

I am very comfortable with my Pdoc. I actually only go to him for medication management and I go to a therapist to talk about all my long-winded concerns. With my Pdoc I get straight to the point and tell him my symptoms. I have an appointment with him on the 20th of this month, so I plan on saying something but I'm almost positive he will tell me it's just a side-effect I'll have to get used to.

I was only diagnosed Bipolar II in November, so I'm at the beginning of my treatment. The medications I'm currently on are Lamictal 200mg, Cymbalta 60mg, Ativan 1mg, Trazadone 100mg (for sleep). Does any of that look like a culprit, because to me, they're ALL a culprit. LOL.

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Moogieotter

I've been instructed that Gingko supplements can help with this side effect from SSRIs. Not sure if true.

Unfortunately I'm on an SSNRI. Not sure if the ginko would work the same way.

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Turtlesoup

It did take a lot of patience on my part & trying different meds but that seems to be the norm with all psych meds.

Yeah I'm pretty sure my pdoc is going to tell me this anyway. I have to just figure things out for myself.

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

I can orgasm if I am aroused, watching porn and masturbating. I haven't has an orgasm with a partner in a long time.

I used to be able to do the whole porn/masturbation thing, but the last few times I tried I got no results after hours of attempting. I only got swollen and painful and frustrated.

[Eva33]

The really screwed up thing is that I have dreams that I'm orgasming. And I'm pretty sure it's really happening. I wonder why only in my dreams I'm able to achieve this. Must be something to do with the brain being in REM.

Thanks all for discussing this topic so openly with me. I really appreciate it.

[Justugh]

ok hi nice lady

odds are u gotten like kinker the old stuff is not working for u

Second Life Official Site - Virtual Worlds, Avatars, Free 3D Chat
this is a game ....but not really it is like a 2nd world where ppl can do anything that what from anything part of life

it is free to start and look around .........it should allow u to get your kink out and figure out what does the trick ........it is safe and no one knows who u are unless u want to share it .......if typing is not your thing they have mics to allow u to talk and if u meet someone u like u can skype

[touched by fire]

Trazadone does it to me... morning sex is no longer enjoyable after like an hour... well for me at least

[Gray Rider]

Originally Posted by Eva33

I was only diagnosed Bipolar II in November, so I'm at the beginning of my treatment. The medications I'm currently on are Lamictal 200mg, Cymbalta 60mg, Ativan 1mg, Trazadone 100mg (for sleep). Does any of that look like a culprit, because to me, they're ALL a culprit. LOL.

Probably the cymbalta just a guess though

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Justugh

ok hi nice lady

odds are u gotten like kinker the old stuff is not working for u

Second Life Official Site - Virtual Worlds, Avatars, Free 3D Chat
this is a game ....but not really it is like a 2nd world where ppl can do anything that what from anything part of life

it is free to start and look around .........it should allow u to get your kink out and figure out what does the trick ........it is safe and no one knows who u are unless u want to share it .......if typing is not your thing they have mics to allow u to talk and if u meet someone u like u can skype

This is not helpful at all.

[Justugh]

Originally Posted by Eva33

This is not helpful at all.

i tried worked for 2 other ladies i know

the same old same old was not doing it for them so they went there to play out some of the wilder ideas they had

[~Christina]

Psych meds are just notorious for weight gain and inability to orgasm... It could be one of your meds or a combo of them all.. that's where it gets tricky.. If each medication was started one at a time, you could probably pinpoint when the switch was flipped off. But more than likely a couple meds were started then another here and there.

Telling your Pdoc about your problem and getting a " oh its a side effect" response ... well yeah that's just not going to be acceptable. Our ability to enjoy sex is one of the best ways to relieve anxiety and well hell..... it just plain feels good on all levels.

Your Pdoc should be willing to work with you to find what medication(s) could be the problem and work to remove them and or replace them. If your Pdoc doesn't want to put the work into helping you balance your symptoms and allowing you to still have the ability to enjoy sex , well then you need a new Pdoc.

This is a very common problem, way to common.. I'm glad you can address it with your Pdoc. Be your own best advocate !

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Psych meds are just notorious for weight gain and inability to orgasm... It could be one of your meds or a combo of them all.. that's where it gets tricky.. If each medication was started one at a time, you could probably pinpoint when the switch was flipped off. But more than likely a couple meds were started then another here and there.

Telling your Pdoc about your problem and getting a " oh its a side effect" response ... well yeah that's just not going to be acceptable. Our ability to enjoy sex is one of the best ways to relieve anxiety and well hell..... it just plain feels good on all levels.

Your Pdoc should be willing to work with you to find what medication(s) could be the problem and work to remove them and or replace them. If your Pdoc doesn't want to put the work into helping you balance your symptoms and allowing you to still have the ability to enjoy sex , well then you need a new Pdoc.

This is a very common problem, way to common.. I'm glad you can address it with your Pdoc. Be your own best advocate !

Thank you