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Orgasms and Lexapro

Unburdened
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Unburdened

Unburdened

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I'm a female and I've on a very small dose of Lexapro. I've only been on it 4 days and already it's virtually impossible to orgasm and if I do it's a disappointment as it's such a dull orgasm. The doctor thinks I should stay on it for a month to see if there are improvements. Has anybody tried this and have the sexual problems decreased once your body gets used to the Lexapro? The doctor has said it is my decision whether I continue with it.

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jt07

jt07

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I take citalopram which has the same psycho-active molecule as Lexapro (es-citalopram). Citalopram killed my libido dead. Also, yes, it was difficult to reach orgasm and yes orgasms are dulled. In my experience, citalopram - and by extension Lexapro - are the worst SSRIs for sexual side effects, although of course, I realize that we are all different in our reaction to meds.

Did it go away? It maybe got less bothersome but only after quite some time on the med. My libido never did fully recover, but the other SSEs did seem to improve. I found that adding Remeron helped with the delayed orgasm though it did not help my libido. The only thing that has helped my libido is Abilify and that is only because it helps me in general with anhedonia.

I wish I had better news. It's a tough choice when we have to choose between our mental health and giving up part of what makes us human or suffering mentally just to hold onto it.

By the way, I am male and it doesn't matter. The effects are the same in both men and women.

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Gearhead

Gearhead

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Celexa and Lexapro were both libido and orgasm killers, and no, for me the SSEs never went away. We always tell people to be patient and give a med at least a month, but that was my experience. I've had better luck with Cymbalta (duloxetine).

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Cerberus

Cerberus

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Actually, Lexapro was recommended for me early on for its relative lack of problem with sexual side effects. Unfortunately, for me it lacked antidepressant effects. It didn't exactly va va my voom, either. Wellbutrin is another option some people try if mainline SSRIs cause sexual problems. Wellbutrin makes me wiggy, but some people think it's great.

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Catwoman

Catwoman

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Hmm....I don't think I had huge problems with Lexapro concerning orgasms. It was more difficult on doses like 15 and 20 mg.
When I was on 5 mg (I took this dose for about 2 years) I didn't have trouble reaching an orgasm at all. Libido was another matter, but this was also due to being in a longterm relationship.
Zoloft did kill my libido though.

 

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browri

browri

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Escitalopram and citalopram both decreased my libido and gave me erectile dysfunction. Orgasms were kind of boring too and for that reason I sought out sex a lot less thus a compounding problem. Fluoxetine on the other hand didn't cause erectile dysfunction but killed my libido far worse than escitalopram. So far the only serotonergic antidepressants I've found that didn't have sexual side effects were Viibryd and Trintellix (which I'm on now and love). I think with Trintellix I seek out sex less perhaps. But for example, even though I don't initiate sexual intimacy that often, when my partner initiates, I don't have much of a problem "getting into it" and I don't have erectile dysfunction. Definitely a win.

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Unburdened

Unburdened

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2 hours ago, browri said:

Escitalopram and citalopram both decreased my libido and gave me erectile dysfunction. Orgasms were kind of boring too and for that reason I sought out sex a lot less thus a compounding problem. Fluoxetine on the other hand didn't cause erectile dysfunction but killed my libido far worse than escitalopram. So far the only serotonergic antidepressants I've found that didn't have sexual side effects were Viibryd and Trintellix (which I'm on now and love). I think with Trintellix I seek out sex less perhaps. But for example, even though I don't initiate sexual intimacy that often, when my partner initiates, I don't have much of a problem "getting into it" and I don't have erectile dysfunction. Definitely a win.

Thanks Browri. I've been on Trintellix/Brintellix and it was terrible for me sexually. It made my vagina completely numb. I will discuss Viibryd with my Dr although I have no faith in SSRIs. Interestingly I just read that it only causes sexual problems in males. Not sure if that's true. 

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browri

browri

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47 minutes ago, Unburdened said:

Thanks Browri. I've been on Trintellix/Brintellix and it was terrible for me sexually. It made my vagina completely numb. I will discuss Viibryd with my Dr although I have no faith in SSRIs. Interestingly I just read that it only causes sexual problems in males. Not sure if that's true. 

That would be true. At least in the numbers from the clinical trials. Sexual dysfunction was very low for the Trintellix treated groups but still performed far better than other antidepressants and those who did experience sexual dysfunction on Trintellix were almost if not all men.

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T.Daniels

T.Daniels

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I was on escitalopram 10mg for 6 months and abilify at the same time and i had no problems with sex. I dont mean to be vulgar or anything when i say i had mind blowing orgasms everytime when i was in the mood for it. And boy i was in the mood! Turning to my late 30’s that lust for sex has subdued pretty much.. maybe i need to check my testosterone levels.. possibly maybe

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Unburdened

Unburdened

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Thanks T.Daniels. I've not tried Abilify. Can I ask if you have major depression. I'm not whether Abilify is suitable for that? I'm currently not on the right meds. I'm on Lamitrogine and We;llbutrin and I'm more focussed, but have very bad anger due to the Wellbutrin and the depression has not diminished much. I have refractory depression and have tried the majority of meds over many many years and don't react to them like ""normal" People do. I also get a lot of the side effects and can't tolerate them. I feel like giving up. 

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T.Daniels

T.Daniels

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I agree with Iceberg that Abilify might work as add on together with an antidepressant. Abilify is in literature described as activating med and might help especially with low energy and anhedonia to some degree.

About your question Unburdened, ive got very difficult bipolar 1. Ive had 3 episodes of psychotic mania and was put on a straightjacket the first time.

but im currently in the middle of depression and recovering from it slowly. 

Please consider of getting an atypical antipsychotic as add on therapy, many have had relief of their symptoms with them. 

Lithium? 

I guess there are still options for u if your can hang in there.

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Chickenlips

Chickenlips

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Hi Unburdened - I have been on anti-depressants for over 20 years and through a combination of trial and error I have a solution that works for me like a dream and probably would work for other people too.

Given that anti-depressants block the sympathetic nervous system from building to orgasm, if you take a teeny bit of Valium (less than a 1/4) this relaxes you enough to actually "get there."

Give it  whirl, experiment with what amount works for you - the orgasm is not as intense - but it happens. x

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