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SSRI's and Sexual Dysfunction

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 8/13/2013 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and I was given a prescription for 10mg of Lexapro. I am not worried about any of the side effects except for some alarming things I have read about "post-SSRI sexual dysfunction." I am willing to give an SSRI a try, even if it means temporary sexual side effects. Even if it takes a couple months for me to regain my normal sexual function, that is OK, provided I will be back like I was before I started Lexapro. But some people claim that these drugs can cause sexual dysfunction that never goes away, even after discontinuing the SSRI. Is this true? Can this really happen? If so, I don't think it's worth the risk. I do not want to be permanently impotent. My sexual function right now is excellent, if I may say so myself, and I don't want it to diminish forever.

Can anyone enlighten me about this?
Posted 8/13/2013 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
I have never heard of this but some other meds do have such a side effect, for instance blood pressure,
in my experience the bata blockers are the worst. Good luck hope you get your answer. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/13/2013 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have not heard of permanent loss of function...

...did you talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist about your concerns?

S.C.
Posted 8/13/2013 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
I mentioned my concerns to the psychiatrist and he insisted that the sexual side effects stop when you stop taking the drug. And I do know that millions of people take these drugs and do not experience this consequence. What makes me a little skeptical is a phenomenon I call "the drug is always right." If you do have an unusual side effect, the doctor may dismiss it. For instance, anxiety and depression can contribute to sexual dysfunction, so if a patient reports continuing problems, the doctor will attribute it to his mental state ("it's all in your head"), not the drug. I just want to be sure the drug is as safe as the doctor says, since it does seem like it can have a profound impact on sexual function for some people.
Posted 8/13/2013 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am also scared of that and for that reason, I will no longer try any SSRIs. It can happen, but I believe it is rare. It took me months to get back to normal after only taking Cymbalta for 4 or 5 days. I don't know if I ever got completely back to normal either.
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