Ways to enjoy sex while on antidressants?

(cross posting this to depression because I wasn't sure which one to put it in, hope that's okay)

Hey everyone

I'm a 24 year old guy, and throughout most of my life I've cycled on and off of anti-depressants. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro daily. When I'm off them I become generally misraeble and difficult to be around, so I definitely prefer to be on them. But while I'm on anti-depressants, no matter what kind of medication, my sex life takes a toll.

While I'm on anti-depressants, sometimes sex can feel almost boring when I'm in the moment. My mind will drift a lot, and I'll often automatically picture the person I'm having sex with as being someone else, but it won't help, and I feel like it often becomes a tiresome chore of wading through a cloudy mind and trying to finding pleasure. The last few times I've had sex, I've felt like I'm just hoping to find an orgasm eventually.

Sometimes I will cum after finding something that's at least somewhat satisfying, sometimes I can get so bored that I'll fake an orgasm so that I can just stop. Either way, I'll usually feel tense and uncomfortable afterwards.

So, like I said, I'd prefer to continue taking my medication. But I want to make sex enjoyable again. If there is any advice, tricks, supplements, personal experiences or ANYTHING I would really appreciate it.

I just really want to receive help in this aspect of my life.

Thanks,
Jake

Antidepressants have different effects on the sex drive in different people. Unfortunately they also have different effects in combating depression too. The SSRI's seem to have little impact on my desire, so I consider myself fortunate. I would talk to my dr and be very specific
He might be able to switch you to something effective that doesn't have a negative impact on your sex drive. Good luck!

I told him about the problem before and we changed my medication...but since it's still persisting I might have to get it changed again.

Thank you JLarissa.

I have the same issue. I take anti depressants, They are great for my mentality but horrible for my sex drive. It is completely non existent. When the H and I have sex I could care less, I have no desire, and the likely hood of "O" s, Well you can just about forget that.

Not saying "O"s are not possible just not worth the work. It might happen, but it is not that great when it does. It takes a HUGE amount of effort and the likely hood of it happening is maybe 10% of the time. Not worth the frustration in my book.

I have found a way combat this somewhat. The likely hood is increased to about 60% of the time, and there is some additional enjoyable sensation. I have noticed when I forget to take my meds just one time that things start to have a greater chance of happening in the bedroom. I have learned that I can skip one dosage of my meds on purpose, just one time and not totally freak out and start having withdraws.

That is possible on vacation or times when I know we will have no kids around. It has to kinda be planned. I do get headaches and the world starts to spin a little when I go much more then 36 hours with out my meds. I would rather not go any longer then that on purpose.

Hope that is something that can help you. I also was told to add Wellbutrin. That might work for some folks but not for me. I went 3 days with out sleep and couldn't deal with that anymore so I stopped taking it. The Dr did say I could stop taking my meds and switch to something else, but it would be a difficult transition and depending on how much I really want to have fulfilling sex would depend on if I should take that med or not. I chose not to. (Due to other relationship issues sex is not a priority) So from here on out it will be sucky sex for me. Hope you have better luck then I have

The only thing that worked for me was finding a med that didn't affect me in that way. I did end up finding one, but it was definitely trial and error. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply mama.

I think I might try the cycling off the anti-depressants on different days, it might help me. I've noticed a similar effect but I haven't been sure if it's healthy or not.

I have also heard of the Wellburtin recommendation so I might give it a try.

Welbutrin is often used in conjunction with other antidepressants to counteract their sexual side effects. It's worth a shot.

Personally, I had to go through probably ... 7? 10? ... different antidepressants to find one that didn't cause sexual side effects for me. I'm finally on Viibryd. The only one that doesn't cause a problem.

I'm not sure how many different AD's you've tried, but it can take a while to find the one that works. Don't give up, the trick is finding the right one.