Antidepressants & sexual side effects

Posted by Barb @amberpep, Nov 29, 2017

Someone asked which antidepressant cause the least sexual side effects. I can only speak for my experience, and definitely talk to your own Psychiatrist before trying it, but I think it's fairly benign. When I started taking Zoloft (an SSRI) many years ago, I realized that I no longer could have an orgasm. I told my Psychiatrist and he got up and got an article which he then copied for me. It said that there had been studies that showed that taking Gingko Biloba each day would help with that problem. They suggested 240 mg. I started and stayed at 120 mg. as I did not need more. It worked. Might be worth a try, but definitely talk to your Psychiatrist about it before trying it. I understand it does tend to thin the blood, so that is a consideration. But for me, and many others, it was only positive.
abby

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Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 30, 2017

Hi Abby, @amberpep

Thanks for sharing that information. There are some side-effects related to Ginkgo, see the MD website regarding these, http://wb.md/2udhIaj. Before taking this type of supplement it might be wise to discuss it with your doctor (as Abby did).

Teresa

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Dec 1, 2017

Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential sexual side effects. I'm thinking some of our other members who have talked about Zoloft/sertraline hydrochloride may have some thoughts, like @lola63, @lolita9, @fatherscaregiver, @coloradogirl. @wendyw and @lager09. @jimhd and @contentandwell may also have some insights.

So, when you took the ginkgo to counteract the sexual side effects, you did not notice any side effects from the supplement, if I am understanding correctly?

coloradogirl | @coloradogirl | Dec 1, 2017

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential..." + (show)

Honestly, I can't really help much here. Due to some other medical issues, my libido pretty much disappeared entirely, so I wasn't even interested in trying. I have heard that Wellbutrin and Effexor don't have the same side effects this way that the other SSRIs do. Never tried the Ginkgo Biloba.

JK | @contentandwell | Dec 1, 2017

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential..." + (show)

@lisalucier I am not familiar with these drugs at all, have never taken them. The only thing I have ever taken along a similar line is Ativan, and that about once or twice a month to calm my mind so I can get some sleep occasionally.
JK

Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Dec 1, 2017

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential..." + (show)

@lisalucier @amberpep

I have had ED for a few years, and I recently stopped taking Cymbalta, which is an anti-libido med, and after being off it for a month, my libido has returned. I don't think I can use Gingko because it interacts with other meds.

Jim

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 2, 2017

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential..." + (show)

The interaction with other meds and with other health conditions is a problem with Gingko. Thanks for mentioning that @jimhd
Teresa

Parus | @parus | Dec 2, 2017

This mention of Gingko brought back a memory of 2 sisters who came every year to the plant nursery where I worked. They arrived with a grocery bag to gather Gingko leaves from the tree area to place the leaves in quart jars with vodka. They claimed that this tincture helped with many things. I did not bother to tell them it was not the correct species of Ginkgo. A true story.

Thanks @jimhd for letting others know about Gingko and also for the hilarious memory.

Berni | @lolita9 | Dec 2, 2017

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @amberpep -- that is an interesting and important topic related to taking antidepressants and potential..." + (show)

@lisalucier it was a long time ago that I took Prozac and Zoloft (taken at different times in my life). I honestly had so much going on that the lack of desire was at the bottom of my worries. So it wasn't until I was in my forties divorced and Happy that I regained my sex life.