Sensitive Question For Guys (sex question) - Personal

I've had mixed results with sexual performance lately. I've attributed it to taking the drug Cymbalta, which has helped me incredibly with my IBS issues. My libido was not constant on 60 mg of this medicine. I could get hard, but not maintain. I've tapered down to 30 mg, and have a little better results, but it still doesn't seem to be something that just works right... it's like I have to think about things somewhat.

I've had a history of being sensitive to medicines in regards to sexual function. I've only been with a few different women, and only within the last couple years. I am just wondering what exactly is normal. When I've been off of medicines that caused me issues I don't remember having issues... but it was not something I thought about much then. Now it seems that if I'm not constantly stimulated that my erection fades halfways away in 10-15 seconds. Is that normal? I'm guessing no, but still... just asking.

This is bothering me. I've been with my gf for over a couple months, so it's not just a random fling thing. I'm completely comfortable. I feel like I'd have better results going off the cymbalta completely, but my quality of life will go down quite a bit with the increased IBS issues. But sex certainly adds to quality of life, too.

Any other suggestions? I tried Amitryptiline before this, and it was awful for me... and I had worse sexual side effects than with the Cymbalta.

I think it is the Cymbalta or a combination of that and the mono. I can't remember what my love life was like when I had mono but I was extremely exhausted.

You are way too young to have those kinds of problems. You might be right about Cymbalta, it is an antidepressant and antidepressants are notorious for killing the sex drives for both men and women.

I heard that Wellbutrin is one antidepressant that doesn't affect libido but you need to speak with your doctor. I don't know much about antidepressants and I really don't want to know. At the very least you should look up the side effects of any medication prescribed for you.

This is a very tricky/sensitive subject.

Personally, I think Anti Depressants are WAY to oversubscribed.

It's a simple balance.

How bad is your depression? Do these meds actually help you?

What's worse to you, being depressed or not being able to get hard.

I think depression is simply part of our emotion and life. And yes there is SOME people out there that really have DEEP depression issues. HOWEVER, you will never EVER convince me that it should be a BILLION dollar industry like it is.

I am a woman but I had the same problem with Cymbalta. It killed any sexual interest at all but it lowered the pain level dramatically. I switched to 20 mg of Citalopram and it is better but not perfect. For IBS and IPS the National Health Institute recommends the anti-depressants nortriptyline or desipramine at dosages less than a normal antidepressant treatment. I am meeting with my GI in a couple of weeks to discuss this option. I want the Irritable Pouch Syndrome to be under control without feeling like my emotions are totally dulled.
Irritable Pouch Syndrome is similar to IBS but effects people with j-pouches.

Somedude said...
Well, yeah 10-15 seconds, it could go down. But, what do you mean sexual stimulated...I mean if you're naked with the woman, I would assume you'd remain hard. If she said, hold on let me a sandwich and she leaves, it makes sense your penis unhardens.

Lol... Somedude, I read this while on my phone at her place tonight while she was doing some laundry. I was laughing pretty good out in her living room.

I agree with you guys that say it's way too early in my life to have this problem. When things have worked in past relationships, I haven't thought about it. Only when things go wrong do I start to really pay attention to it.

I was put on the Cymbalta for chronic pain, which it turns out is mono, not chronic nerve pain. BUT, I noticed that it SIGNIFICANTLY helped my formation and urgency issues related to bowel movements. I have been able to eat salads, yogurt, granola bars with nuts... ALL things that were unthinkable in any quantity even while in remission on Remicade. THIS is why I stayed on Cymbalta.

Subzeromamba, thank you so much for your post. That is indirectly what I was hoping for, some more hope with things. I need to get off of the Cymbalta if it's doing this, but I feel very freed lately at the chance to have variety in my diet and more freedom when I go out. I'm seeing my GP on Friday about this issue, and I'll research what you've told me, and ask him appropriate question.

Its not the pred I think, pred gives me more energy and more drive.

Somedude said...
If she said, hold on let me [make you] a sandwich...it makes sense your penis unhardens.

I'm not so sure about your line of reasoning here. When I have a woman that will make me a sammich, that's pretty exciting.

cymbalta cause a decrease in proinflammatory cytokine activity and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. But Wellbutrin is a TNF-alpha downregulator. Both of these drugs are used off-label to treat UC and IBS. I have heard great things about Wellbutrin, but my GI would not prescribe it. It may be worth a try, no sexual side effects. Good luck!!

Thoreau, my personal experience has been that my sexual dysfunction improved after awhile of being on antidepressants. I wasn't on Cymbalta though, I was on an SSRI.