monkey5 Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 Back this summer, I went on the medication, Zoloft, after I began having anxiety problems. I was on the medication for 5 months, and I had slowly weaned off of it over the past 2 months. During the time I was on the medication, I lost my sex drive completely. I COULD NOT find any man attractive (no, I'm not a lesbian either)... Now, I am off the medication and it's even worse. I have absolutely no interest whatsoever. I don't feel comfortable speaking to a physician about this, so I wanted to put this out and see if anyone else went through similar things...i want to know if I will be normal again. (heck, I'm still a virgin-and I don't want to be for the rest of my life-I'm only 19)-I need to say, however, I do find certain actors and musicians attractive-but when it comes to normal ordinary guys-nothing. This is depressing me.
Author monkey5 Posted January 30, 2008 Author Posted January 30, 2008 it seems like every time I post something, I get a bunch of views-but no help. thanks a lot.
klee Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 I don't know about Zoloft's side effects, but anti-depressants are known to decrease sex-drive, so you are not abnormal, I don't think. I also struggle with anxiety, but I have not been successful taking any anti-depressants without serious side effects. So now I don't take them, and I deal in other ways. But anyways, while I was taking ADs, I did notice that my sex-drive was kaputt. And then I was in a LTR and that REALLY sucked because I was attracted to my bf, but had no desire to get down. Soooo, maybe you just have not run into anyone lately that really toots your horn? And at 19 you still have PLENTY of time to lose your V. IMHO. And don't just go doin' for the sake of doin' it. So maybe just work on feeling better about living with anxiety and then look for a cool dude. The right cool dude.
Storyrider Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 it seems like every time I post something, I get a bunch of views-but no help. thanks a lot. Did you ever feel horny and fantasize before you went on Zoloft? Did you masturbate?
vanilla_11 Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 I had the same effect when I was on a BC pill. Ironic huh? I was taking the pill and always never in the mood. My poor (now ex) boyfriend (not really because he was a cheater, but that's another story). Anyway, I went off the pill for a month and hated the "normal" side effects and went on a same pill. Things have changed, but I am finding my new guy very attractive... a lot. So yes, it maybe side effects from the pill, but it could also be a mental thought... do you masturbate? try other things to turn you on?
Author monkey5 Posted January 31, 2008 Author Posted January 31, 2008 yes, before I went on the medication I fantasized quite often and had no problem finding guys attractive. I had basically, a new crush every week. Now, I will look at a guy, and think "meh-he's just ok" I am also on my "wild" tangent of being attracted to guys with long hair, tattoos, & piercings-living in a more conservative area...I don't come across very many guys that are that type. I used to masturbate before...not frequently. And obviously, i didn't do much of that when I was on the medication-however, I was able to become aroused with no problem (except at very weird times-I felt like my arousal was delayed) I am so glad I'm off the Zoloft, but I can tell that the anxiety is returning-so I'm going to have to deal with it. I just don't know how. I hate having anxiety.
oppath Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 A decreased sex drive is also a symptom of anxiety and depression, so it's difficult to attribute it to medication after a few weeks. I'm a man. I've been on/off zoloft and others. What has happened for me is that for the first week or two, I do notice a difference. But after that, it's subtle. Basically, I can still get an erection or orgasm but for masturbation, I require porn to really turn me on. However, when WITH a woman, I've had no problems. Yes, my drive decreased when single, but it never affected my drive when with a girlfriend. Why did you go off the medications? Did you consult with a doctor first? And who prescribed them? Medications are effective but are best used in combination with therapy. If all you were doing was taking medications, then it's not surprising anxiety is still an issue because you have not learned coping skills like you will cognitive behavioral therapy. I'd suggest finding a therapist who is familiar with CBT -- since if you haven't learned the cognitive coping skills to deal with anxiety -- that is more important (how to behave and cope) than the root causes initially, as you can gain the skills needed to face your triggers and behave differently. The actual triggers are best tackled AFTER you've worked on the cognitive aspects. Perhaps therapy with a lower dose of anti depressants is in order. And if you are not having sex anyway, perhaps a lower libido is worth coping with. If it's not affecting your actual sex life because your sex life is non existent, I'd say take medications to help with the anxiety. Then, if you get into a sexual relationship, see how you feel. It's quite possible that with an actual partner, it won't be an issue. For me, it really has only decreased my fantasies/masturbatory desires. It never affected me with an actual woman.
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