Sexual Side Effects?

[~*Cherimoya*~]

I am curious if everyone who takes anti-depressants or mood stablilizers experiences sexual side effects? My drive is already so low since the birth of my last, I am concerned.

My doctor thinks it's in my best interest to be on medication and I think she is leaning toward Lexapro.

Thanks!

~E~

[Jish]

I was on Lexapro for 8 months and didn't notice that it made a difference in my sex drive one way or the other. My drive is never particularly high, but I didn't notice that it lowered it any. I was very happy with it overall and would go on it again if needed. I weaned off to get pregnant and have been well since then. The side effects in the beginning can be annoying, but they pass quickly and you should feel better soon. My biggest thing was that it took away my appetite cues and I would forget to eat for hours until I was passed famished. Then I would get nauseaus and really weak. Remember to eat regularly, even if you don't feel hungry.

[EllasMama]

I am also on Lexapro. I haven't noticed a change for the worse in my sex drive, but it was so low already that it'd be hard to tell! One thing I will say is this: if you suffer from depression and/or anxiety, it's no wonder that you have a low sex drive. I say this in hindsight after wondering for so long what was "wrong" with me that I wasn't interested in sex. I now understand that my depression caused me to have to let everything but the bare essentials go. If I barely have the energy to care for myself and my daughter, then of course I'm not going to have anything left over for intimacy with my DH.

I've been on Lexapro for 3 months now, and I feel SOOOO much better. But there is still a long way to go. I now have the will and energy to do more, but I'm still repairing my overall health. I was/am so depleted that I just seem to catch everything that goes around. My work with a therapist has always felt worthwhile, but has really taken off in positive directions since going on Lexapro. So mentally I feel pretty good, emotionally I'm doing much better, I just need to build my physical health back up!

Good luck to you. Even if Lexapro had a negative effect on my sex drive, I would still very much think it's worth it. I actually feel like myself again, and can enjoy my daughter, and that's something I really missed.

Warmly,
Carol