Staying Happy and Horny – Fighting Depression without Losing Your Libido
A man who once had a high sex drive is experiencing a drop in his libido while taking antidepressant medication.
Case #: 434
Concern：
I used to have a high sex drive. I masturbated several times a day and it seemed like I was never satisfied. I could also have a marathon worth of sex with my wife and be ready for more sex as soon as I ejaculated. But now, I am unable to masturbate as often as I used to and I can barely keep an erection during sex. After sex, it takes me a long time to be able to get hard again.
My once voracious sexual appetite has changed and I am barely interested in sex at all anymore. I noticed the changes a few months after I started taking SSRI drugs. How can I continue to take my depression medication and also please my wife?
Discussion：
SSRI’s that are found in antidepressants are a common cause of a low sex drive. SSRI’s cause an imbalance in serotonin and other hormones in your body that control you libido. If SSRI’s are taken for long periods of time, they can cause sexual dysfunctions such as weak erections, premature ejaculation and even impotence.
How SSRI’s Cause Sexual Dysfunction
SSRI’s stop the brain from absorbing serotonin. If the serotonin cannot be absorbed properly, the parasympathetic nerves overreact and cause the body to become stressed during times of arousal and resulting in premature ejaculation.
The serotonin nerves also change the brain’s dopamine nerves and makes sex less pleasurable. When dopamine levels drop too low, you may have no desire for sex at all. Serotonin also causes testosterone levels to drop. When this happens, your libido will be reduced and you may have a hard time getting an erection or controlling your ejaculation.
Regaining Your Sex Life
You are likely torn between continuing your medications and risking your sexual desires or stopping your medication and experiencing depression. Talk to your doctor about switching your medication to one that has less or even no SSRI’s. This will help restore your serotonin levels and bring back your desire for sex.
You can also take an herbal supplement to help fight the side effects of the SSRI’s. The supplements help restore you hormones to a healthy level. They contain nutrients that can make your erections harder and longer lasting and rejuvenate nerve endings that have been damaged by your antidepressant medication.