Taking Antidepressant to reduce libido, HELP!!! - Depression Message Board

succumb · 05-24-2004, 07:39 PM

Hi,

I am having an extremely high libido that is disrupting my work and need to focus. Unsuccessful at all methods of self control, I consulted a physician and started on Lexapro 10mg today, hoping to reduce my libido dramatically. I have a few questions.

1) Should I ask for Prozac or Zoloft instead, since they have more reports and stronger effectiveness at decreasing libido?

2) I took the first pill of Lexapro today and felt nothing changed. How long may I begin to feel the decreased libido, and how much reduction might I feel?

3) Any other tips? Thank you.

succumb · 05-24-2004, 07:42 PM

By the way, my main goal is to lower sexual desire, not function. However, I don't mind decrease in function, since there are times I get erections when I don't want to. But lowering sexual desire is my primary goal. Thanks!

succumb · 05-25-2004, 07:18 AM

No one is responding.

I felt like updating you. It's almost 24 hrs of taking the drug. I usually wake up with an incredibly bulging and uncomfortable erection and feeling aroused, but this morning I didn't have any of that. As I sit here, the libido is so much reduced.

Unfortunately, I also gained an erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. But I can now focus more on the grander scheme of life than what led Kobe Bryant to his possible doom.

This is a magic pill for any one who feels overly sexual!!!

Crossbow · 05-25-2004, 08:21 AM

I think you're feeling a placebo effect. There's no way Lexapro could have that strong an effect in only 24 hours. It takes 2-6 weeks to take fulleffect, and if there is sexual dysfunction it usually sets in after that.

All SSRIs have the potential to decrease libido and/or function, but there is no guarantee that any of them will do it. I find antidepressants do improve my concentration, in any case, so it may help you whether it affects your sex drive or not.

succumb · 05-25-2004, 09:27 AM

Hi. Thank you for the replies.

I am male, so any other ideas?

Although I understand this could be placebo effect, I doubt that is the case. Here are my reasons:
1) I never ever wake up without an erection. The fact that I found myself limp immediately after I woke up signifies it is a physiological response more than psychological.
2) Reading that only 6% reported reduced libido for Lexapro, I was highly skeptical, even afraid the drug will have no effect on me. I am usually a skeptical person, not gullible, and never trust anyone or anything.
3) I normally have an erection and orgasm easily in the morning to the point where I get an erection even when I am avoiding having one (relatives around). I found it very difficult even when I tried to have one today, as in getting stimulated by significant other and visiting porn sites (I usually get an erection within 1 sec getting touched or seeing porn), but I can barely get it. I've never felt this way before, and cannot attribute this solely to psychological reasons. There's definitely a physiological cause and it feels great!

Do you guys recommend switching to Prozac or Paxil because of price and/or potency for my desired effect? Is there anything cheaper than Lexapro? Lexapro is so expensive!