Zoloft And Libido

Zoloft And Libido
Published October 26, 2015 6:32pm EDT
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It’s hard to feel sexy when you don’t feel happy. If that unhappiness is rooted in clinical depression, your health care provider may recommend an antidepressant.
But it’s vital that you know all of the possible side effects before you sign on – because like most other medications, not all of them are created equal.
In fact, antidepressants in the SSRI family (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are known to cause low libido. Prozac, Zoloft , Celexa and Paxil are all SSRIs and all have been documented as having sexual side effects.
Dr. Chad Collom, a doctor of nursing practice and board-certified family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Solace Counseling in Dallas, Texas, explains why.
“SSRIs stimulate certain serotonin receptors that can cause a decrease in dopamine and norepinephrine in an area of the brain, which can have an effect on libido,” Collom said. “Older classes of antidepressants that are not used as much anymore, like monoamine oxidase (MAOIs) and tricyclics antidepressants (TCAs), can have the same libido depressing effect.”
Of course, depression itself can cause low libido. In fact, it’s very common in people battling depression – and this presents a bit of a Catch-22.
“The risks versus benefits should be weighed,” Collom explained. “If depression is causing significant impairment in one's life, then treatment may be necessary. This should be determined with your health care professional.”
So, is there anything you can do to combat the low libido caused by antidepressants?
“For men, some medications such as Levitra, Viagra , and Cialis can be of some benefit,” Collum said.“Men should also get testosterone levels checked. Though (it’s) not indicated for women, some studies using Viagra in women have shown positive results with sexual side effects. Women should always get hormone levels checked.”
There’s another option as well, Collom noted.
“Changing to Wellbutrin (another antidepressant that works only on dopamine and norepinephrine receptors) or adding it to an SSRI can help counteract sexual side effects,” he said.
In other words, not all antidepressants have sexual side effects.
“Wellbutrin has been shown to have no sexual side effects due to its mechanism of action,” Collom said. In fact, “Wellbutrin can actually increase one’s sex drive.”
According to Collom, the key to dealing with antidepressants and the risk of sexual side effects is to “Always consult with your health care provider to get treatment options that will be the best fit for your symptoms of depression. Giving your provider a detailed history is essential in order to give him or her a clear and accurate picture leading to a treatment plan that’s right for you.”
Symptoms of depression are not something that should be ignored. So, don’t let this information keep you from seeking help from your health care professional. Instead, use it to prepare yourself when you do seek help. The more you know, the better.
A happy and healthy sex life starts with being informed and seeking professional care when you need it.
And don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. Your health care professional is there for you.”
Jenny Block is a freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas. She is the author of " Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage ." Her work also appears in " One Big Happy Family " edited by Rebecca Walker and " It’s a Girl: Women Writers on Raising Daughters " edited by Andrea Buchanan. Visit her Web site at www.jennyonthepage.com.
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A community for people taking Zoloft (sertraline) to discuss questions, concerns, and success stories.
Zoloft is an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication in the pharmaceutical class SSRI.
Reddit Inc © 2022. All rights reserved
How would you describe your libido since being on Zoloft ? Mine was so bad for the first four months but it’s just barely getting a little better I’d say.
Male here. Not taking it ATM, but when I did a few months ago, I had higher libido than without treatment. I felt like a teenager again and want to fuck everything that moves multiple times a day. I got random boners as well. However reaching orgasm and ejaculating is very difficult, sometimes impossible.
Interesting, I feel like yeah the orgasm part is so annoying. Do you notice a difference now that you’re not on it ?
Posted asking for advice on this myself just the other day.
There is no way to sugar coat it, a week in and I straight up cannot nut. I previously had a sex drive through the roof and now I don't even jack off.
I'm suddenly anxiety free with all the confidence in the world to approach everyone and anyone, only without the means to explore it. Some straight up monkey paw shit.
Somebody tell me this gets better. Anybody?
hi i’m a woman and i know it’s different for everyone but i wanted to give you some hope! my libido/ability to finish pretty much disappeared when i first went on Zoloft and as i continued to up my dosage, but then it slowly came back. i am now on a high dose for ocd (200mg) and over time, my drive has come back actually stronger than before; it made me realize that i’ve probably been low-level depressed for years and it affected my libido. my ability to finish came back as well! Sometimes it’s still hard, but honestly not any more than it was before I went on Zoloft. So hang in there! And if you talk to your doc sometimes they can prescribe another med alongside the Zoloft to help with that particular side effect
Libido and latency to orgasm are ZERO. Added bupropion… still nothing! 🥲🥲🥲
it has changed for sure, I used to masturbate more often and I would have fuhd some people by now. Now I either randomly get horny but it leads to nothing, or try to masturbate and just end up nowhere. So frustrating
from extreme high sex drive to almost 100% asexual. 3 years on zoloft and i will tell you how much i hate it to feel uncomfortable by engaging in sexual activities and my partners would try soooooo hard to make me orgasm but i couldn't. it's almost like doing meditation whilst having sex.
it's been 3 years and it only got worst. i never recovered from it and my psychiatrist couldn't help me with that either lol now i lowered my dosage from 50mg to 25mg and i can feel myself getting more sexual desires but not the same as how i used to be.
Woman here, week 4, taking 25 for anxiety - no huge changes, except for maybe a slight increase? I've had a handful of other not so fun side effects, especially in Weeks 1 and 2, mostly extra poops & nocturnal panic attacks.
I was just telling my boyfriend it takes me so long to reach orgasm. But being aroused is totally fine. I've been on 50 mg for two 1/2 months.
Two years on 100 and my desires were barely dampened but my ability to climax went from freakishly easy to frustratingly hard. It did seem to get a little better the longer I was on it. But never easy. That said, I'm a mom to young kids and married 14 hears so I don't have much outlet for it anyway.

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The popular medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs (see box) can help lift people out from under a dark cloud of depression. But there are some side effects from antidepressants , including those that can affect your sex life. In addition to reducing interest in sex, SSRI medications can make it difficult to become aroused, sustain arousal, and reach orgasm. Some people taking SSRIs aren't able to have an orgasm at all. These symptoms tend to become more common with age.
If you experience any sexual problems while taking an SSRI medication, talk with your doctor or therapist. About 35% to 50% of people with untreated major depression experience some type of sexual dysfunction prior to treatment. So, in some cases, sexual difficulties may stem not from the SSRI, but rather from the underlying depression. If medication is the problem, sexual side effects sometimes subside with time, so it's worth waiting a while to see if problems diminish. This is a particularly good strategy if the medication is easing your depression significantly. But if side effects from antidepressants persist, your doctor or therapist may suggest one of the following strategies, as found in the Harvard Special Health Report Understanding Depression :
Lowering the dose. Sexual side effects may subside at a lower, although still therapeutic, dose.
Scheduling sex. Your medication may produce more pronounced side effects at particular times of the day, for example, within a few hours of taking it. If so, you can try scheduling sexual activity for the time when side effects are least bothersome—or take the drug at a different time.
Taking a drug holiday. Depending on how long the drug usually remains in your body, you might stop taking it for a few days—for example, before a weekend, if that's when you hope to have sex. This isn't spontaneous, but it can work if you carefully follow your doctor's directions about how to stop and resume your medication. However, there is always a chance that this might cause a relapse, especially if it is one of the drugs that leaves your system relatively rapidly.
Switching to a different drug. Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), and mirtazapine (Remeron) are less likely to cause sexual problems. Bupropion, which affects both norepinephrine and dopamine, can sometimes improve sexual response.
Adding a drug. For some men, taking sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) can alleviate SSRI-induced erectile dysfunction . Both men and women may benefit from adding bupropion to their treatment. This medication has been found to counter SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, boost sexual drive and arousal, and increase the intensity or duration of an orgasm. In some people, the anti-anxiety drug buspirone (BuSpar) may help increase libido and restore the ability to have an orgasm.
Meeting with a therapist. Even when physical issues or medication are at the root of sexual problems, psychological issues often become interwoven. For example, a few episodes of erectile dysfunction may cause a man to withdraw from sex and his partner to feel rejected. These issues can lead the couple to retreat further from intimacy. Working with a sex therapist or general therapist can help couples explore their sexual concerns, learn to better communicate, and expand their repertoire of sexual activities.
– By Julie Corliss
Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

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The physical transformations the body undergoes with age have a major influence on sexuality. This Special Health Report, Sexuality in Midlife and Beyond , will take you through the stages of sexual response and explain how aging affects each. You’ll also learn how chronic illnesses, common medications, and emotional issues can influence your sexual capabilities. Finally, you’ll find a detailed discussion of various medical treatments, counseling, and self-help techniques to address the most common types of sexual problems.
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SSRI medications include

citalopram (Celexa)
escitalopram (Lexapro)
fluoxetine (Prozac)
fluvoxamine (Luvox)
paroxetine (Paxil)
sertraline (Zoloft)
vortioxetine (Trintellix, formerly called Brintellix).

Zoloft has killed my libido and orgasms. Is it an irreversible side effect? Should I talk to my therapist about it or should I wait for my psychiatric appointment within a month?
not a doctor or scientist, just an amalgam of medical journals and experience. · Author has 10.2K answers and 24.6M answer views · 1 y ·
Zoloft killed my orgasms. I want to taper off because it’s scaring me. I’m embarrassed… How can I talk to my GP about this?
When should one expect their sex drive to return after stopping SSRI antidepressant medication?
I'm 25 who suffers from depression. When I took antidepressants, I can't orgasm. I panicked and I stopped. Will my orgasm come back when I stop the antidepressants or is it permanent?
Will my sex life normalise after an antidepressant course of 6 months?
What are the possible treatments for PSSD? And is it permanent?
MD in Medicine (MD) & Psychiatry , Louisiana State University Shreveport ( Graduated 2016 ) · Author has 62 answers and 113.2K answer views · 1 y ·
Zoloft killed my orgasms. I want to taper off because it’s scaring me. I’m embarrassed… How can I talk to my GP about this?
When should one expect their sex drive to return after stopping SSRI antidepressant medication?
I'm 25 who suffers from depression. When I took antidepressants, I can't orgasm. I panicked and I stopped. Will my orgasm come back when I stop the antidepressants or is it permanent?
Will my sex life normalise after an antidepressant course of 6 months?
What are the possible treatments for PSSD? And is it permanent?
How do SSRI anti-depressants affect libido and the ability to orgasm?
How long does it take for your sex drive to return after quitting SSRIs?
Is the inability to orgasm a common side effect of sertraline?
Will my sex drive ever return after stopping my anti-depressants?
Will my libido ever come back after taking Zoloft?
What are the side effects of too much libido?
How do I maintain a healthy libido while on Zoloft?
Will my ability to orgasm come back eventually on sertraline?
Have you ever heard of SSRI antidepressants causing increased libido?
When males take antidepressant medication it destroys their sex life. I stopped taking them and everything is back to normal after 3 years no sex. Did I do the right thing for me?
Zoloft killed my orgasms. I want to taper off because it’s scaring me. I’m embarrassed… How can I talk to my GP about this?
When should one expect their sex drive to return after stopping SSRI antidepressant medication?
I'm 25 who suffers from depression. When I took antidepressants, I can't orgasm. I panicked and I stopped. Will my orgasm come back when I stop the antidepressants or is it permanent?
Will my sex life normalise after an antidepressant course of 6 months?
What are the possible treatments for PSSD? And is it permanent?
How do SSRI anti-depressants affect libido and the ability to orgasm?
How long does it take for your sex drive to return after quitting SSRIs?
Is the inability to orgasm a common side effect of sertraline?
Will my sex drive ever return after stopping my anti-depressants?
Will my libido ever come back after taking Zoloft?
Something went wrong. Wait a moment and try again.
It is sometimes irreversible, and you should contact the prescriber immediately.
The vast majority of patients encounter sexual problems with drugs like SSRIs, and libido and orgasm ability are among the things we most often notice a significant decline in. Though these can be permanent, it is very common that going off the offending drug can involve a significant level of recovery, and some people feel a full restoration after quitting. It can sometimes take weeks or months, or even longer, for improvements to be most realized, but some people notice significant changes as soon as they reduce
It is sometimes irreversible, and you should contact the prescriber immediately.
The vast majority of patients encounter sexual problems with drugs like SSRIs, and libido and orgasm ability are among the things we most often notice a significant decline in. Though these can be permanent, it is very common that going off the offending drug can involve a significant level of recovery, and some people feel a full restoration after quitting. It can sometimes take weeks or months, or even longer, for improvements to be most realized, but some people notice significant changes as soon as they reduce or quit the problem drug.
Taking immediate action is important in these kinds of situations because longer periods of exposure are a risk factor for longer-lasting sexual effects. Though even very short-term use can cause lasting impai
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