My sex drive has been virtually non-existent for about a year now. It used to be perfectly normal, and my husband and I had a very good sex life.

With my major bipolar depressive episode finally over for the most part, I finally called my pdoc and asked him if we could consider switching from any meds that may be the culprit. (I have never had this problem in my life.) Because of my recent depression, he is basically refusing to change any of my meds.

Should I get a different pdoc? This is a big part of marriage - - especially for men I gather - - that is suffering.

[Douglas MacNeill]

Originally Posted by newgal2

My sex drive has been virtually non-existent for about a year now. It used to be perfectly normal, and my husband and I had a very good sex life.

With my major bipolar depressive episode finally over for the most part, I finally called my pdoc and asked him if we could consider switching from any meds that may be the culprit. (I have never had this problem in my life.) Because of my recent depression, he is basically refusing to change any of my meds.

Should I get a different pdoc? This is a big part of marriage - - especially for men I gather - - that is suffering.

First of all, I'm glad you asked this question. People in your situation need to ask questions like this much more often, even if questions like this appear to call the pdoc's clinical judgment into question (which is bound to p*ss some pdocs off, believe you me). Few pdocs think much about parts of their patients' lives that represent what's right (such as your very good conjugal sex life before you went on those meds) with their patients, and that can be a problem.

I'm not sure what to say. On the one hand, your current pdoc is doing the best he can according to what he knows about your situation. On the other hand, there can any number of good reasons for you to get a second opinion. And if that second opinion should advise you to start a different medicine that doesn't have the side effects on your conjugal sexuality that your current medicine does, who am I to say no?

Is there more than one pdoc available in your part of the world--rural areas may not offer that luxury? There can be nothing wrong with seeking a second clinical opinion based on your case and your symptoms. And do compare the recommendations of your second pdoc with those of your first if it's at all possible.

Any further advice will have to depend on how your situation changes over the next while, of course.

Thank you for responding to my question in such detail. I don't live in a rural area, so I can easily get a second opinion. Maybe what I should do is get the opinion of the pdoc who did my ECTs. That would be easiest.

Thanks again!

[Webgoji]

Yeah ... Effexor can cause that actually. It caused anorgasmia for me. If you don't get a medication change, you might suggest either adding something like Welbutrin which is used to help counteract some sexual side effects of other medications or maybe switching to Pristiq. Effexor is venlafaxine and Pristiq is desvenlafaxine, the active compound in Effexor, and generally has fewer side effects. (Although it's expensive as heck ... but they do offer those supplemental cards that can go with your insurance to bring the price down.)

[Sirensong18]

Thanks for sharing your story! I'm in much the same boat you are, but I don't think medication is causing my problem. I'm not sure what is causing my problem to be honest - hubby and I used to have a great sex life. But for at least the last year, I just have no interest in sex. It's very hard for me to get turned on even or in the mood at all. I have depression, and I'm sure that contributes to it. I hope a 2nd opinion or a change of meds is able to help you. Hugs.