I'm grateful for the medication, even with the nasty side effects in the first few weeks. One issue is love making, I am not sex crazed, but did enjoy the odd orgasm before I was ill, now even if I want sex I can not get there. I tried moving the time of day I took the medication and suffered the side effects almost immediately, so feel there is not much hope of any enjoyment! Is it worth going to the G P?
i too had a drop in libido, it takes way longer to get into it. but i found more exercise helped me. it may be worth going to the GP. as my GP advised me there are different medications other than citalopram. if its not working in your favour let the GP know. i personally had a problem with constant tiredness and went straight to the GP.
Hi Carole. Loss of libido is unfortunately common with SSRIs. Men and women alike suffer from it. Men can obviously resort to viagra but realistically its a lot more difficult for women as it's not erectile dysfunction but sensory issues. Have a try at taking Black Cohosh. It's well documented as a supplement for a range of menopausal symptoms, including due to its estrogen like properties, increasing blood flow to the pelvic region, which is known to increase arousal and response to sexual stimulation. Increased blood flow also means more lubrication, which in turns assists the process. Also the amino acid L-arginine acts as a vasodilator; it increases the size of blood vessels and enhances blood flow throughout the body. Because it can increase blood flow to the genitals, L-arginine is considered a viable treatment for men and women with low libido and other sexual problems. It has the added benefit of maintaining cardio and vascular heath, which is good for stamina and nothing puts us off sex more than feeling tired and wiped out which is another side effect of citalopram. Hope the above helps.
Happened to me too Carole almost immediately and even after a year off cit, the natural orgasm never returned
what with my tablets and husbands tablets were a dead loss!!
you have to think outside the box. If the tablets are working I know that in itself is such a benefit
I definitely had a loss of libidio when I was first on antidepressants (which as a guy is just.....depressing-heck that kind of defeats the purpose of taking antidepressants right?) Even though I was prescribed citaloptram, which is supposedly the lightest of all the anti d's in terms of impact on sex drive, I even had no desire to masturbate which is strange for me. I was taking tadalifl at the same time which helped with erections but not desire....
Anyway, since coming off them 3 weeks ago, I had a reboost to my libido somewhat (including taking a 'virility' supplement), but now I've been prescribed to go back on citalopram for the moment......so I expect my libido to dip again....hopefully I'm pleasantly surprised.....
Does anyone know any proper male libido boosters? I'm not 100% convinced by arginine......
Hi Funk. Most of the stuff recommended is really only to boost blood flow, thus assist with erections etc., and not of much help with the psychological effects of loss of desire, motivation etc. L.Arginine is ok in what it does but it did nothing to make my mind tell me I was 'up for it' if that makes sense. I have to say I resorted to at various points trying alcohol, smoking weed, inhaling amyl nitrate, some other weird and wonderful 'natural remedies' eg damiana - all of which were one hit wonders or basically nothing more than snake oil or quackery - much like the beauty or hair loss industry, when we're desperate we'll believe or try anything I guess. You're so right in your comment about it defeating the whole object of taking anti depressants as nothing is more depressing than feeling like a eunuch! Good luck in your search
Hi Loxie,
Totally agree with you there. It's really down to what's in your head right? And I've been plagued with mental issues since I was both abused and abandoned, so I really think psychotherapy is the way to go for me. Even my psychiatrist told me arginine would help, I've tried these sachets of argiline and citruline and they do jack.
Good luck to you too......you are right, the quest is to get the head sorted out. Once that's done, the body recovers
I was the same. Mine got better with time though. the longer i was on the meds the better my libido became.. At first i really struggled.
xxx