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do not, my internal medicine physician says, reduce the production of testosterone. They do, he notes, reduce libido He says that we don't know what caused my extremely low production. The shot that I took today and the tree coming over the winter are apparently an attempt to jumpstart my system.

Hi n stuff.. *half awake*

Anti-depressants? I take those. They keep you un-depressed.

I think anti-depressants can reduce libido but don't necessarily reduce libido?

A friend of mine who's on them says he has to work harder to acheive shallower orgasms, but his drive doesn't seem overly affected. I've never tried any, personally though.

~chrys

Yep, some antidepressants can considerably reduce libido and potency in both sexes. From the SSRI range, it seems that Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) is the one most often associated with partial loss of potency (i.e. very difficult or non-existent orgasms). From my own experience, I have some reduced libido at present but no change in potency, but 4 people I know who have been on Paxil eventually gave it up because it 'took away their sex drive', or so they claimed. a male friend was worst off: while his sex drive remained intact, he lost all ability to orgasm and was constantly frustrated. The statistics are that 1 in 3 Paxil users experiences some 'loss of sexual function' I believe, although I am not quite happy to believe in those statistics, given the various complaints that have been mounting against Paxil in recent months. One thing is for sure though: hte effects of anti-depressants on libido and potency are fully reversible.

drug companies and psychiatrists discounted or under-reported the extent of these side-effects. One makes a decision not to be depressed and bears the consequences.

Old Softee

I totally agree with your comment re pharm companies and psychiatrists. anti-depressants are a goldmine for drug research, along with the latest miracle fat-binding, metabolism soaring, cardiac arrest inducing deals

However, I am not sure what you mean with your other comment. Whether depression is chemically or psychologically induced (and I am not totally in agreement with the jury on that one), it is a REAL condition and sadly not one that can be willed away. We can exercise control over certain aspects of our intimate lives but unfortunately not on others - the psyche is a strange place and not one we understand very well!!

Paxil has enabled me to live. I think the real question is whether St Johns Wort or other non patented, non controlled substances would have done a better job, and why information and research on those substances is not more available to us - see for instance what is currently happening with kava kava being banned due to a major drug company misinformation campaign.

again, if I have misunderstood your comment re: depression, my apologies.

through years of therapy without medication. I learned a lot. I still endured depression. I have been in my longest lasting recovery from depression for over a decade. The only time I have any problems with the illness is when my doctor and I experiment with changing medication.

The side effect of loss of libido has been part of the cost of not being depressed. I take 30 mg of Paxil daily. If I'm off one day, my friends know. If I'm off two days, even I notice.

I recall reading a study that debunked St. John's Wort. Blind studies are easy to do.

What intrigues me are the changes in perception of life and in experience. While Andrew is interested in eunuch health issues, I'm interested in how we all deal with being sexual and how we deal with desire or not having it.

Blaise (imported) wrote: Sun Dec 22, 2002 6:38 am What intrigues me are the changes in perception of life and in experience. While Andrew is interested in eunuch health issues, I'm interested in how we all deal with being sexual and how we deal with desire or not having it.

For those of us who are elective eunuchs, AND do not choose to take replacement testosterone, it is precisely the lowering of sexual desire and libido, or even its elimination, that we want. But having got it, we should now pay attention to some of the other side effects of being hypogonadal.

better in my new status. The other side effects do interest me as much as they interest Andrew because I do endure them. I love his information and insight. I like Sir Isaac as well. I was an engineering student.

I have to take Paxil and another antidepressant and I have not had an orgasm in almost three months no matter how hard I try and it is frustrating the hell out of me and my husband

Your physician ought to be able to come up with something that allows you to enjoy your sexuality. Try different medications and combinations. Good luck.

I hope he can do something because I am frustrated as hell. I'm horny all the time but I can't get any release.

It has been my experience (on Prozac) that it does not lessen the drive but does interfere with the orgasm mechanism.

The description of "shallower" orgasms above is just about right. There were times when I would masturbate and then finally give up. Other times there was a very shallow (weak) orgasm along with ejaculation.

But in my experience it didn't affect the number or erections in the least.

Impotency is a SIDE effect of SOME anti-depressants.

It is not necessarily something that someone has EVERY time that they take anti-depressants.

My advice is to get your doctor to try a different anti-depressant.

...and maybe a Viagra or two to break you out of your cycle...

A-1

Patients have to speak up. Demand that your physician experiment with medications with you to find one that does not reduce libido.

I know that when my doctor did the followup he asked me if I was experiencing any "sexual side effects" and no WAY was I telling him that my orgasms were not very good!

If he did not want to know he wouldn't have asked you.

It is a common side effect of anti-depressants to have that effect on a person and many times changing antidepressants or adjusting the dose works wonders.

Don't be embarrassed. He needs to know.

A-1

I have been on paxil for five years now and at first it lowered my sex drive but over time it didnt have mutch efect on me. That is why i also take depo provera. I am feeling better than i have ever felt on thies drugs.

I have been on anti-depression meds for 10 years now. Paxal, Zoloft, Prozac all brought my hormone levels down. I am now on Wellbrutrin, which gives me my drive back, but I don't seem to cum as I have in the past. It seems watery, not as big and

my hormone levels seems to be on the low side for some reason, and that's without castration! I take DHEA to try to keep a balance, I do enjoy my morning woods, but I can't jerk off and cum most of the time!