Blahblah Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 (edited) Background: I've been on all of the SSRI's and SNRI's, including atypicals and they didn't work for my depression (they either flatlined me emotionally, rendered me a sedated zombie, or made me a super irritable/aggro insomniac) They all caused some degree of sexual issues. I finally found some relief from Depression with Lamictal - It completely evened out my mood, and I still feel like myself. No more mood swings, severe crying spells, I don't get bothered or upset by things. From what I've read, most people do not have any sexual side effects from it. Problem: No orgasm at all on it. Even more tortuous, psychologically, my libido is still there, I have desire and other things (if you know what I mean) but no matter what I do I cannot orgasm or get any physical pleasure from sex. It's like all my sensitive parts are totally "turned off" I also noticed that I no longer have that "runners-type high" I used to get a nice tingly-endorphin rush from intense exercise and since I started Lamictal months ago, I feel nothing! Wellbutrin does not do anything for me (no effect at all at 450mg), I've also tried Maca for 2 months (no effect) I don't want to take a sedating med that makes me a zombie. I don't know what to do! Can anyone here tell me whether anything helped you (particularly vitamins, supplements, Ginko, goat weed?) I'm afraid to go off this med and get crazy again but I cannot tolerate this side effect longterm. Edited February 16, 2017 by Blahblah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted November 22, 2016 Author Share Posted November 22, 2016 I've read a few reports of using Stimulants to increase pleasure/ability to orgasm. I don't know if this is an option...or if anyone can vouch for this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted November 22, 2016 Share Posted November 22, 2016 I'd say using stimulants for this problem would be way off label and you are unlikely to find anyone to write the prescriptions. I think first you should be checked out by a general practitioner because, as you even said, Lamictal is not know for this side effect. Moreover 100 mg of Lamictal is a relatively small dose. You might even need to see an endocrinologist depending on how the visit to the GP goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikl_pls Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Like @jt07 said, I've also never heard of lamotrigine causing this side effect (not to say that it can't though). I agree that you should get checked out by your general practitioner since something else could be going on. I know of some meds that could be used were it an SSRI/SNRI that were causing the anorgasmia, but I doubt they would help in the case of lamotrigine... (e.g. meds with potent 5-HT2A antagonism like cyproheptadine, mirtazapine, trazodone, or nefazodone...). There are also hormonal patches that could correct hormonal imbalances if that's the issue, vacuum pump devices, medications to improve blood flow, etc. A common medicine used for SSRI-induced anorgasmia (again I know it's not SSRI-induced though) is sildenafil (Viagra) which is more commonly used in men but is starting to be used in women as well. Another option for women is vardenafil (Levitra), but there's apparently a lot of controversy about the efficacy of that drug for women. Yohimbine has been used for men but I don't know about for women. Dopamine agonists have been used as well, like cabergoline, which inhibits prolactin production. Amantadine may also help relieve SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (again, I know your problem isn't SSRI-induced...). Apparently, buspirone may help too? Like you mentioned, stimulants like amphetamines are also used (also bupropion, which you said was ineffective). This information may all be completely irrelevant because like I said it all pertains to SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, but some of them may be worth a try, perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Are you on anything other than LTG? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) On 11/22/2016 at 8:23 PM, jt07 said: I'd say using stimulants for this problem would be way off label and you are unlikely to find anyone to write the prescriptions. I think first you should be checked out by a general practitioner because, as you even said, Lamictal is not know for this side effect. Moreover 100 mg of Lamictal is a relatively small dose. You might even need to see an endocrinologist depending on how the visit to the GP goes. I was actually on methylphenidate in the past and took a break (not needing it really right now) so my doc would prescribe for me again I think. I just don't know if it would make a difference? I've been meaning to go back to an endocrinologist, I've had hormone & thyroid testing done several months ago and everything was normal. Edited February 16, 2017 by Blahblah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) 10 hours ago, mikrw33 said: Like @jt07 said, I've also never heard of lamotrigine causing this side effect (not to say that it can't though). I agree that you should get checked out by your general practitioner since something else could be going on. I know of some meds that could be used were it an SSRI/SNRI that were causing the anorgasmia, but I doubt they would help in the case of lamotrigine... (e.g. meds with potent 5-HT2A antagonism like cyproheptadine, mirtazapine, trazodone, or nefazodone...). There are also hormonal patches that could correct hormonal imbalances if that's the issue, vacuum pump devices, medications to improve blood flow, etc. A common medicine used for SSRI-induced anorgasmia (again I know it's not SSRI-induced though) is sildenafil (Viagra) which is more commonly used in men but is starting to be used in women as well. Another option for women is vardenafil (Levitra), but there's apparently a lot of controversy about the efficacy of that drug for women. Yohimbine has been used for men but I don't know about for women. Dopamine agonists have been used as well, like cabergoline, which inhibits prolactin production. Amantadine may also help relieve SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (again, I know your problem isn't SSRI-induced...). Apparently, buspirone may help too? Like you mentioned, stimulants like amphetamines are also used (also bupropion, which you said was ineffective). This information may all be completely irrelevant because like I said it all pertains to SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, but some of them may be worth a try, perhaps? Thank you for all of these suggestions! I guess I will go back to GP...I did read that Lamotrigine CAN cause Inorgasmia (listed as very rare side effect or possibly in post-marketing reports). Maybe it is a side effect that will go away eventually? (I've only been on 100mg for a month) Although on some SSRI's this side effect did not go away. Do you think that my Psychiatrist would know which meds may combat this side effect? Or should I take her a print out of the list of options you have mentioned above? My GP said she is not familiar with Lamotrigine. I know that Lamotrigine works in a different way than most psych meds (blocks Sodium channels or something and does not bind to Serotonin, Dopamine, etc) I've read online that researchers don't really know how Lamictal works in helping mood disorders. Somehow it works on Glutamate which inhibits an excitatory response and neuronal firing. If it dampens mania, could it also dampen sexual climax, sensitivity and pleasure sensations? I only take it for depression (not mania). I just don't know what other blood tests I can do to see what else could be the cause? I noticed the problem after moving to 75mg. Edited November 23, 2016 by Blahblah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) 5 hours ago, Gearhead said: Are you on anything other than LTG? Nope I am not. Only vitamins, omegas. I have supplemented with Maca, but no difference with that. It's bizarre. In all of the reviews I've read everywhere, I haven't seen that it causes any sexual problems. This is why I decided to go on it instead of another antidepressant. I was not on any meds for 6 months before starting Lamotrigine and during that time I was more depressed (with less libido) however I could regularly orgasm. I felt more sensitive and stimulated. Maybe my body is still getting used to the medicine? Edited November 23, 2016 by Blahblah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 One other question (to those of you here that know a bit about hormones) Do you know what hormone or nutritional deficiencies that could cause sexual dysfunction (related to libido and/or inorgasmia)? I'm aware that high levels of Prolactin can cause problems (which I don't have) Would either low Estrogen, Progesterone or Testosterone be the culprit? Iron, zinc, B vitamins, Amino acids? I've been taking a multivitamin for years with all of these and eat a balanced diet. My energy level is normal, I exercise regularly, sleep 9 hours per night, fit (low BMI) etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I don't pretend to be anywhere near an expert on hormones, but low testosterone in both men and women can cause dysfunction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 (edited) I don't think it would hurt to bring in info, but your pdoc should be able to help. Edited November 23, 2016 by confused Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikl_pls Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 I second what @confused said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberry Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 I know this is an old post but did you find a solution? I've seen this problem a lot on epilepsy boards but most say they also have a complete loss of libido. My sex has gone down a little but still exists and part of the decline is because there is absolutely no release and the weirdest thing is sometimes I will actually have an orgasm and can feel the muscles contract but I can't feel any pleasure whatsoever. Even when I was on a cocktail of drugs this didn't happen. The one fun thing in my life has gone. I really miss my orgasms. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blahblah Posted September 11, 2018 Author Share Posted September 11, 2018 Nope. Still have this problem. Tempted to take a break from Lamictal (and see if it comes back) but I'm afraid I'll get very unstable. Maybe its just age? I'm in my 40's now, maybe that could be part of the problem :-( At any rate, I have no libido or interest either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberry Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Its definitely the meds. Mine died a few weeks after I started taking it. I did lower my dose to see what happened and it returned a little but not enough to be that impressed by. Its like all the intensity has gone. Lowering it also increased my seizures. Before this medication I had a great drive, the last one lowered it but not massively but even that really effected my previous relationship. It was one of the reasons he started cheating on me. They really need to invent a drug that can make people happy, healthy and horny all at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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