Sexual side effects! Help! - Anxiety Message Board

vick03 · 09-13-2008, 03:42 PM

I have been a lexapro for about 2 weeks now and have been happy with the results so far. I didn't really think I was experiencing too many side effects until recently. One, I have been pretty tired and sleeping more which is not my main concern. The other thing is during sexual intercourse I can not finish. That is, I can not bring myself to the point of ejaculation. 3 times this week with my fiance we had intercourse for over an hour! twice for over an hour and a half and that is actual intercourse no foreplay etc. It gets to the point that I lose my erection first, I'm assuming because I get tired before I can finish. I don't know what to do, I have always been able to go for long periods of time but I could finish at any moment I wanted, now that is not the case no matter how much I try. Is this normal? Is it a cause of the lexapro? Has anyone experienced anything similar? It's starting to cause an issue (fiance thinks it's her, and I think I have a problem)

Thanks for any help.

Lourage · 09-13-2008, 04:03 PM

I lucked out back when i was taking lexapro. While my sexual drive was diminished some, i was still able to finish. Thing is if the lexapro is giving you problems, it might be the same with any other SSRI you take. I guess best thing you can do is switch to another SSRi and see how your side effects are. Everyone reacts differently to each medication. Bring it up with the doctor prescribing it and see what they say. You don't need anymore anxious thoughts knowing you can't finish and having your fiance think it's you. Make sure she knows it's from the medication!

vick03 · 09-14-2008, 12:15 AM

Did your sex drive return to normal after a certain point? Because I notice that it's diminishing a bit for me now as well. Problem is although I know it's nothing bad, I prefer she doesn't know that I am taking this medication. At least not yet. I have a doctors appointment next week so I will mention it to him.

StephRabin · 09-14-2008, 12:20 PM

This is a pretty common side effect for both men and women with ssris. Talk to your doc. FOr some people, after a bit of time things return to normal in that area. It is totally from the lexapro. Some say there are less sexual side effects from wellbutrin, but again, tell your doc...
By the way, tell your fiance. She would probably feel more relieved to know you're on a medication and that its not her.,

vick03 · 09-15-2008, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the advice and info. I will see if my doctor recommends a switch. Would it also be possible to perhaps get prescribed cialis or viagra to counter the effect of a weaker erection? As far as the prolonged ejaculation, I'll see if switching meds is the only solution.