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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cgd092 on January 8, 2007, at 0:20:02
Sorry if this is not the correct forum for this, but the other forum, "relationships," doesn't seem to be heavy on the pharmeceuticals conversation.
Why do SSRI's kill your libido? I understand and have read about how they literally can make your genitals somewhat numb (nitric oxide inhibition, right?) but what do they do to that part of your brain that is libido, sex drive, desire, etc.? The part before you're even using your genitals. How can that be some how related to depression? Or is it purely just an unlucky side effect?
Thanks for any two cents!
-Katy
Posted by blueberry1 on January 8, 2007, at 4:26:48
In reply to Libido and SSRI's, posted by cgd092 on January 8, 2007, at 0:20:02
Dopamine is typically considered to be the chemical related to sexual function. I am not sure on this, but I think the general understanding is that the over-natural amount of serotonin induced by ssris kind of squashes out dopamine function. That's also why many people get kind of emotionally numb and flat. I have sometimes thought that ssris are not really antidepressants, but rather anti-emotions. Emotional anesthetizers if you will. They do the same with sex.
The odd thing is that some ssris are worse than others generally speaking (paxil for example). And some people have no sexual dysfunction at all. Go figure.
For me serotonin is definitely the culprit that kills sex. I know that because when I tried 5htp supplements for a month I had MUCH worse sexual dysfunction than I ever had on any ssri and I've tried them all.
Posted by Crazy Horse on January 8, 2007, at 10:59:09
In reply to Re: Libido and SSRI's, posted by blueberry1 on January 8, 2007, at 4:26:48
That's also why many people get kind of emotionally numb and flat. I have sometimes thought that ssris are not really antidepressants, but rather anti-emotions. Emotional anesthetizers if you will. They do the same with sex.
Yea, this seems to be true for me. I can't cry when i'm on ssri's, which sucks because sometimes i want to..it just won't happen. As far as sex, some ssri's make it impossible for me to climax. Which is soooo frustrating!! This is not the case with Zoloft my current AD, thankfully. :) I believe it has to do with too much serotonin.-Monte
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2007, at 11:16:05
In reply to Re: Libido and SSRI's, posted by Crazy Horse on January 8, 2007, at 10:59:09
I couldn't cry on cymbalta. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry1 on January 8, 2007, at 15:46:32
In reply to Re: Libido and SSRI's, posted by Crazy Horse on January 8, 2007, at 10:59:09
I've seen in literature that zoloft has some mild dopamine reuptake inhibition to it that makes it different from the other ssris. When I tried zoloft last year, I could feel the dopamine part of it no doubt. I may try it again.
This is the end of the thread.
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