Meds and not feeling sexual ( at all! )

[joanna1]

Has anyone else felt this way, how do you get past it? I have no interest, I am still broken up with my ex but have been asked out several times and turned everyone down because I don't even feel like I would enjoy being intimate and isn't fair to whatever guy who I might date, kiss, touching or sex. I'm on a anti depressant and a mood stabilizer.

[vashti]

Try different meds (wellbutrin isn't known to have sexual side effects), or ask your doctor about viagra, which is occasionally prescribed for women to combat low libido.

[basilandthyme]

Some meds are well known to dampen libido. Go back to your prescribing doctor

[DalM0m]

Do not take medical advice from random people on the internet. If you don't like the side effects of your meds discuss your concerns with your DOCTOR and work with that professional to find a formula that works for you.

[HeartIsAching]

Just FYI DalM0m, Vashti is a nurse.

And it's well-known that several anti-depressants cause a drop in libido.

[DalM0m]

Just FYI DalM0m, Vashti is a nurse.

And it's well-known that several anti-depressants cause a drop in libido.

A nurse is still not a Doctor. I also don't believe that you can get accurate medical advice off a message board. The best thing for the OP to do is to talk to her doctor.

[HeartIsAching]

Both of them said to see a doctor. I'm failing to see the problem.

[joanna1]

Thank you for your replies.

I was diagnosed with bipolar and prescribed two different meds to take as I mentioned in my thread post, I have never been on a mood stabilizer before, I have taken anti depressants before and didn't have this extreme of a reaction( no sexual feelings- at all) so I am thinking it has to be either the stabilizer or the combo with the anti depressant.

@ vashti- is wellbutrin prescribed for bi polar? and I didn't even realize women could use viagra and does it work for that and depression too. I want to take only one med, not two, I have going to finish my meds and then go see my prescribing doctor like all of you suggested.

[vashti]

Listen, you should know that sometimes the side effects of antidepressants may diminish over time, as well as those associated with anti-seizure meds (which are often prescribed for mood stabilizing). Yes, Wellbutrin is prescribed for bi-polar, but I do not know how a doctor decides which to use, and which to avoid, other than cost of the medication and intolerable side effects reported by patients. It is largely a matter of trial and error. Also, you shouldn't wait until you are out of meds to see your doctor, because many of these meds need to be titrated down, rather than stopped abruptly.

Unfortunately, sometimes you will have to choose between having your bi-polar symptoms under control, and your sexual interest being optimal.

Good luck, sweety.

EDIT: Another thought - a really GOOD pharmacist might be able to help you understand the longer-term effects of your meds better than an MD. After all, they are doctors specializing in medication. You have to find a really good one, though.

[Jffs24]

Has anyone else felt this way, how do you get past it? I have no interest, I am still broken up with my ex but have been asked out several times and turned everyone down because I don't even feel like I would enjoy being intimate and isn't fair to whatever guy who I might date, kiss, touching or sex. I'm on a anti depressant and a mood stabilizer.

I like what vashti told ya. Well informed and helpful.

I think if the guy is out of the picture and you medicated for that dude, and you do not get set off or angry or moody as much -- maybe you don't need all the medications, if I recall you were doing therapy too.

My ex took medications for depression and she seemed tired a lot and had an overall lack of interest in all things for a while during the take hold phase of her pills. Don't work ya self up, everything unfortunately takes time to help, and there will always be side effects.

[Exeter19]

i agree with what the others have told you, not any new to add, same as what jffs24 said about maybe you don't need all those meds if the problem was how you dealt with the ex, do you feel less stress being out of that relationship or the same amount still? do you want to be intimate with others now or are you just upset that is a new side effect you didn't have before meds?

[joanna1]

Listen, you should know that sometimes the side effects of antidepressants may diminish over time, as well as those associated with anti-seizure meds (which are often prescribed for mood stabilizing). Yes, Wellbutrin is prescribed for bi-polar, but I do not know how a doctor decides which to use, and which to avoid, other than cost of the medication and intolerable side effects reported by patients. It is largely a matter of trial and error. Also, you shouldn't wait until you are out of meds to see your doctor, because many of these meds need to be titrated down, rather than stopped abruptly.

Unfortunately, sometimes you will have to choose between having your bi-polar symptoms under control, and your sexual interest being optimal.

Good luck, sweety.

EDIT: Another thought - a really GOOD pharmacist might be able to help you understand the longer-term effects of your meds better than an MD. After all, they are doctors specializing in medication. You have to find a really good one, though.

I got a kiss at Halloween during the costume party and once again felt not one thing off it and I got looks off girlfriends on why didn't you keep kissing him he was good looking ( he was in face makeup, so who knows) but nothing felt so I didn't continue it.

So what is happening now to me might only be a short term side effect? I haven't been on my meds too long. I will say I got prozac for my anti depressant medication off my prescribing doctor and I am not sure why they chose that and then also another pill for stabilizing my moods, especially if like you just told me I could have got one pill( wellbutrin for both) why load me up on two medications, which will give me twice the side effects. I hate taking any sort of medications, other than a headache pill or multi vitamin. Okay, I will go back this week and see my doctor and see if he can fix my medications for me or if he wants me to finish what I was given and then change to a combined med or lower dosages.


I would rather be able to be interested in someone I like then feel nothing with them at all, that would turn a potential partner off me.

Thank you, Vashti * hugs* for all your help and posts.

[joanna1]

I like what vashti told ya. Well informed and helpful.

I think if the guy is out of the picture and you medicated for that dude, and you do not get set off or angry or moody as much -- maybe you don't need all the medications, if I recall you were doing therapy too.

My ex took medications for depression and she seemed tired a lot and had an overall lack of interest in all things for a while during the take hold phase of her pills. Don't work ya self up, everything unfortunately takes time to help, and there will always be side effects.

My roommate and aunt said the same thing to me. Said I am stuck feeling meds miserable for someone I no longer date. But the meds are to help me in the long run with future partners too so all is more chill and relaxed and less stressful, but how can I get another partner if I don't feel anything for anyone, double edge sword.

[joanna1]

i agree with what the others have told you, not any new to add, same as what jffs24 said about maybe you don't need all those meds if the problem was how you dealt with the ex, do you feel less stress being out of that relationship or the same amount still? do you want to be intimate with others now or are you just upset that is a new side effect you didn't have before meds?

Problem was how my ex and I interacted and how upset I would get and it pushed him away, but in hindsight it was a mutual issue and only I took the fault and tried to rectify it for us. I feel I need some kind of medication to help me, cannot do it alone, but I don't think I need two different ones, when Vashti said there are ones that treat bi polar alone. I feel better because no more arguing, only panicked when I recognized I have this new issue. I think both, want to and upset. Maybe is a wall to keep me single until I am happier with myself and gives me no partner distractions, I do not know, it is very frustrating.

(ps, how did my thread get stars????)

[Cpl9183]

You need to let your doctor know this is happening to you. I told my doctor and they changed my anti depressant.