Sertraline

[Maunsell440 (imported)]

I was put on sertraline a couple of years ago, my doctor said it would help and that it would take about two weeks for the effects to be felt.

It was interesting because I completely lost my sex drive, my penis just stayed limp and I stopped thinking about sex, it was odd, I just had no thoughts about sex until I stopped taking the drug, then thoughts and erections returned and only then did I truly recognise what had happened.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

[TopManFL (imported)]

I was put on sertraline a couple of years ago, my doctor said it would help and that it would take about two weeks for the effects to be felt.

It was interesting because I completely lost my sex drive, my penis just stayed limp and I stopped thinking about sex, it was odd, I just had no thoughts about sex until I stopped taking the drug, then thoughts and erections returned and only then did I truly recognise what had happened.

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Sertraline (also known as Zoloft) is an SSRI. All SSRI drugs have sexual side effects. From being unable to ejaculate to losing interest in sex all together.

SSRI medications have been called a Chemical Lobotomy.

I've quoted this text before. So, I'll just put the link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... l-lobotomy

[Keineier (imported)]

This is a very common side effect. I'm a physician, and when my patients on SSRI meds report it, I will prescribe a middling dose of bupropion (Wellbutrin™). It is similar to the SSRIs, but instead of raising seratonin levels at the nerve endings, it elevates dopamine & noradrenaln. Dopamine is the major brain neurotransmitter for stimulating pleasure. Unless there are other issues, it has never failed to fix the SSRI sexual side effects. One warning—if you are taking Sertraline for anxiety, with or without depression, Bupropion is unlikely to be tolerated because it can increase anxiety.

As an aside, I think that calling the SSRIs a "chemical lobotomy" is an exaggeration and may scare people away from medicine that can be lifesaving, literally and figuratively. The vast majority of people on an SSRI tolerate it well or pretty well. The key is communication and compliance, i.e., take the meds as prescribed but tell your doctor about any problems. Trust me, you won't be "bothering" them. Physicians prefer to nip problems in the bud instead of hacking through fully grown briars.

[Supranatural (imported)]

I was on Sertraline years ago for a few months. I was taking 200mg a day. I had no problems from what I can remember from getting the man up and going. I guess I am part of the exception.