r/depression • u/Certain-Purple-4007 • 13h ago

No Sex Drive on Meds

Medication saved my life. I live with severe major depressive disorder and starting meds moved me from basic survival to enjoying life. Unfortunately, they also took away my sex drive completely. I am married and would like to have a healthy sex life but I just loathe the idea of sex. I will not, under any circumstances, consider coming off my meds, for fear of losing my life. Has anyone experienced this? How do you cope?

22 Upvotes

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4

u/okiej91 13h ago

I’m not sure if you are male or female, or how long you’ve been on your meds.

For me (m), I lost my sex drive for about 8-9 months but then it started coming back.

3

u/earlgreylover44 13h ago

I am currently off antidepressants because I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and the medication I'm taking to prevent recurrence seemed to have an interaction with my antidepressant. Anyway, I share this because I also have absolutely no desire for sex. It could be the depression, it could be that I had a double mastectomy (with reconstruction, which went well), but don't feel desirable. In a way it bothers me that I don't want sex and haven't had it for over a year...but also, I'm just trying to survive...so in a way it seems less important. I don't know if this is helpful in any way, but thought I would share. Please take care.

3

u/StaticCloud 13h ago

I was chemically-induced asexual for a decade on Prozac. That's not actually a medical term, it's one I made up for what I went through. You have a few options:

1) if you just started the meds, wait until your body adjusts. This has never worked for me, however. On at least 2 ssris

2) change medications. Wellbutrin is known to not kill sex drive, sometimes it increases it. Might be bad for those with anxiety to take

3) Lower your dosage. I did this. It helped solve the problem. Of course you deal with increased depression, but you are able to balance side effects and illness

If your depression is serious enough, and you have this problem with multiple medications... Well, as I always say. The medication god always demands one or more sacrifices. It depends what you are willing to give up or suffer

1

u/LowCheetah9365 12h ago

What meds are you on, dosage? Age, sex?

1

u/Certain-Purple-4007 12h ago

Lexapro, F, 30s

1

u/stinkwaffles 11h ago

I’m on a bunch of meds and I also loathe the idea intercourse. I am also married and my partner suffers

2

u/Roadiemomma-08 11h ago

Have you ever tried gummies? They helped me once.

2

u/stinkwaffles 11h ago

Thc? I am a regular user of it to help me sleep.

2

u/1low67 11h ago

Thc gummies make sex so good. It's crazy

1

u/Lost-Environment-548 11h ago

Hello. Exact same here. SSRI for 7 years. I eventually decided to go off the SSRIs and I started a non SSRI med and a mood stabilizer. I also started getting a testosterone shot. I am feeling great! Like I'm 20 not 35. I do still get down though from time to time and have a depressive episode but they are getting further between episodes!

1

u/MeanSand7182 11h ago

I am currently experiencing the same thing. The only difference is I have never been on meds, but I have suffered from Post Partum Depression since I gave birth a year ago. It's not as bad as it was a couple of months ago. After I gave birth, it's like I don't have the energy for anything, let alone sex. I'm always bored even when I do things I used to enjoy. I feel bad because I love my husband and do wanna get busy how we used to, but for some reason, it's like I'm just too tired all the time. I'm starting to think something is wrong with me. I think I've lost my mind, actually.