Problems with "the big o" now I'm on citalopram

scarlett35 · Oct 12, 2017, 11:37 AM

Hi guys.

I'm on a very low dose of citalopram to help with my anxiety, and I have felt so much better since starting to take it. My anxiety is much more manageable and I feel generally a lot happier. I'm just having one side effect...

...When I have sex with my SO I'm struggling to orgasm. I noticed this the first time I took them too. I would really really struggle to reach it. It's not like I'm not aroused at all cause I am, but i dont think i am as aroused as before. I just can't seem to orgasm. It takes forever to get there and usually I have to be in a specific position

Problems with "the big o" now I'm on citalopram

and it's still a struggle!

The weird thing is when I'm alone I can, it's still not easy but I think it's because I can get into the position I like and such, this position isn't really possible in sex as I like to be flat on my belly and the angle is just awkward

I wouldn't mind so much but my other half (bless him!) tends to hold his own O off until I've had mine! This means that he's often waiting too long and then not having one himself at all. I tell him to just go for it and not hold it but I think he's worried I'm not enjoying it

I can have one after sex though and quite happy to as it's easier for me now I'm on the tablets.

I don't know why this is happening but it's only started since the pills (again!) I've never had such an issue before them, even when on the mini pill i had a high sex drive and always found it easy!

I'm not willing to come off citalopram as I'm 100% happier than I was, but am wondering if anyone has had the same? Or if anyone has any tips to help the O come along quicker... ??

Thanks! And sorry for all the info

TishaBuv · Oct 12, 2017, 01:13 PM

I’ve never taken citalopram, but I’ve taken other ADs that inhibited the O. Now I take Cymbalta and it does not block it.

scarlett35 · Oct 12, 2017, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

I’ve never taken citalopram, but I’ve taken other ADs that inhibited the O. Now I take Cymbalta and it does not block it.

I've never heard of cymbalta! Is it an SSRI do you know?

TishaBuv · Oct 12, 2017, 01:19 PM

It’s an anti depressant that my rheumatologist prescribed for pain (arthritis).

scarlett35 · Oct 12, 2017, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

It’s an anti depressant that my rheumatologist prescribed for pain (arthritis).

Ah ok! Thank you

I might mention the O problem to my doctor when I next go

maybe I could try a different tablet

YOLO Lady · Oct 12, 2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarlett35

Hi guys.

I'm on a very low dose of citalopram to help with my anxiety, and I have felt so much better since starting to take it. My anxiety is much more manageable and I feel generally a lot happier. I'm just having one side effect...

...When I have sex with my SO I'm struggling to orgasm. I noticed this the first time I took them too. I would really really struggle to reach it. It's not like I'm not aroused at all cause I am, but i dont think i am as aroused as before. I just can't seem to orgasm. It takes forever to get there and usually I have to be in a specific position

and it's still a struggle!

The weird thing is when I'm alone I can, it's still not easy but I think it's because I can get into the position I like and such, this position isn't really possible in sex as I like to be flat on my belly and the angle is just awkward

I wouldn't mind so much but my other half (bless him!) tends to hold his own O off until I've had mine! This means that he's often waiting too long and then not having one himself at all. I tell him to just go for it and not hold it but I think he's worried I'm not enjoying it

I can have one after sex though and quite happy to as it's easier for me now I'm on the tablets.

I don't know why this is happening but it's only started since the pills (again!) I've never had such an issue before them, even when on the mini pill i had a high sex drive and always found it easy!

I'm not willing to come off citalopram as I'm 100% happier than I was, but am wondering if anyone has had the same? Or if anyone has any tips to help the O come along quicker... ??

Thanks! And sorry for all the info

I had the same exact problem but was on some other type of med, not the one that you're on. I told my p-doc and she switched me to Wellbutrin which does not have that side effect. Maybe try another drug, til you find one that works and does not have a sexual side effect.

Carmina · Oct 12, 2017, 02:54 PM

In the meantime ask hubby to get his O out of the way earlier so he can pay all his attention to you, slowly

Carmina · Oct 12, 2017, 04:31 PM

btw when I was on Citalopram it didn't stop me getting orgasms but it did make it harder, however I found the quality of the orgasms I did get changed, they felt much more drawn out and more 'buzzy'. I quite enjoyed that.

Didn't really do much for my mood though except to make me more nervy and hyper.

scarlett35 · Oct 13, 2017, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOLO Lady

I had the same exact problem but was on some other type of med, not the one that you're on. I told my p-doc and she switched me to Wellbutrin which does not have that side effect. Maybe try another drug, til you find one that works and does not have a sexual side effect.

Thank you! I didn't think about maybe trying a different kind of pill. I've only been taking it for a few weeks so I might give it a tad longer and see if it settles! I'm sure last time there was a slight improvement as time went by but can't remember for sure!

scarlett35 · Oct 13, 2017, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmina

In the meantime ask hubby to get his O out of the way earlier so he can pay all his attention to you, slowly

Hahaha maybe I will have a chat with him about this later

or maybe need more prior stuff so that I'm almost there by the time the deed comes around

Carmina · Oct 13, 2017, 11:44 AM

The other thing is I'm a real fan of the tantric approach where the emphasis is less on the end of the road and more on the journey.

Sometimes when one is focussed on getting there it makes the journey seem to take forever, when we focus on enjoying the ride we may actually arrive without even having to work at it.

scarlett35 · Oct 13, 2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmina

The other thing is I'm a real fan of the tantric approach where the emphasis is less on the end of the road and more on the journey.

Ooh ! Yes I do feel that there is a big focus on the O as opposed to enjoying the whole thing!

It is sometimes quite nice to have a bit of a delay as my o's used to arrive quite quickly which was actually quite annoying sometimes!

scarlett35 · Oct 14, 2017, 01:33 PM

It was so strange today. This morning I was really struggling again. In fact I ended up O less despite trying for a while after sex. I just gave up in the end. Luckily my SO didn't hold off this time!

This afternoon I was feeling a little frisky and round 2 was much better and easier. I had no problems at all. I dunno if it was because I was already feeling it. Just doesn't seem to make sense! Why sometimes I struggle and others I don't...