Lemonman, yesterday eagle15 advised me to get your opinion on this post. I will appreciate if you can take a look and give me your opinion please.

Thanks,
Suzet

Bump for Lemonman (or anyone else who is willing to provide extra input on this issue)

Suzet:

I think you could probably get a much better qualified answer from Stu here. If he is not able to help you, I will give it a shot.

My expertise is in trauma surgery and critical care and not in AD's and side effects. Stu ( a primary care provider) has alot more experience with this than me. I do have an opinion, but lets see what Stu thinks first.

Please do not think I am side stepping your question, I just want you to get the most qualified answer first.

Lem

Thanks Lemonman, I will make a callout to stu as well and then wait patiently for both of you to give opinions! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the time you've taken to read my post.

Blessings,
Suzet

Suzet,
I would like to jump in if possible. One of the major side effects of most AD's is sexual dysfunction. Not just lack of or inabilty of male to maintain erection. It actually causes the "climax' to almost cease to exist. I am a nurse, looked it up in the PDR on quite a few AD's and most of them have that as a side effect. Also, FWH had exactly that same problem when on 3 different ones. It effects men more than women, but still effects women that way too.
I am no DR. just a nurse, but thought that may help you. Call your MD. Ask to switch and tell why. They should be willing to. My FWH is on his 4th kind of AD and now very rarely has that problem.
Good luck
JE

Justempty, thanks for your input – I appreciate it! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Some background: I’m using Cipramil chronically for almost 3 years now and during the first approximate 2 years of use the medication had minimum influence on my libido and ability to reach orgasm etc. Therefore I rarely experienced problems in this area during the first 2 years of use (except during the 4 first months of use while my body was still adapting to the medication). I’ve only started to experience problems in this area again for the last 6+ months… So this is why I’m wondering if the medication is really the main issue here and if the other current issues and stressors in our life (as I’ve listed on my other thread) don’t play a bigger role. Maybe the medication is not the main issue at all…I’m not sure and that’s why I’m seeking opinions and input on this.

I did go to my doctor a few months ago about my libido problem and in his opinion the medication definitely has an influence. He said any AD that falls in the SRRI category (which I have to use because of my specific disorders) usually have sexual side effects in a greater or lesser degree depending on the individual. He said of all the SRRI medications, Cipramil (the AD I’m currently using) have the least possibility of sexual side effects so it won’t help to switch to another AD. My DR advised me to go for a testosterone injection. I did this and it increased my libido a LOT, but then I developed excessive hair growth and I never returned for a second injection. After this I have started weaning off the medication to the lowest dose to see if it will help and so far it don’t really make a significant difference in my libido...and this also makes me wonder if the other current stressors in our life don’t play a bigger role in all of this.

Suzet,
It sounds like it is a combo of all of it. The AD has a low instance of the side effect, but if other stressors are there too, and the side effect that has always been there, will intensify. Have you tried maybe drinking one and I repeat one glass of wine during a romantic evening.
I have the same problem sometimes and am not on AD. I have a past of sexual abuse, and if I am thinking too much and not just enjoying the moment, I have the same problem. So if you could just open your mind to letting go of the control and worrying about the end result for you it might help. Plus add new stuff with the sex. Is your hubby willing to try different positions, equiptment (toys) etc.
Gosh, I sound like DR. Ruth. I just have alot of experience with the low libido and the no orgasm issue. My FWH has a hard time stepping out of the box and trying anything new. It has been the carrot and stick approach for sure. I guide him to what works. That is a great accomplishment for me. I never would say anything, good or bad, to help him. Just assumed he knew. Talk during, dirty or clean. Try it all.
SO yes the stressors impact, the AD's impact, your comfort level does to. Try going outside the box and use the carrot approach with him. That is the best advice I can give.
I do understand and feel for you.
Good luck
JE

Justempty, thanks for your input!

This make a lot of sense.

Yes, I have – during such times it “lowered” my inhibitions and made me more responsive towards my H etc. But I’ve also discovered that if I use more than one glass of wine during such an evening, it reduced my ability to get an orgasm. Therefore your suggestion to restrict it to one glass only is very applicable to me. I don’t mind adding alcohol to a romantic evening in moderation now and then, but it’s not something I want to do habitually.

I have a past of sexual abuse too and although I’ve received therapy & counseling for the abuse issues a few years ago, I still have a tendency of probably “thinking too much” at times and not just relax and enjoying the moment without “thinking”.

Yes, my H is TOTALLY willing to try all kind of new stuff. I’m the one who is somewhat inhibited in this regard and lack motivation to experiment during the times my libido is low… You know, I absolutely love experiencing all those wonderful and euphoric feelings of full sexual arousal and intimacy when making love to my H…I just wish my libido and ability to reach such level of sexual arousal was higher and more frequent so that I could experience such wonderful sexual closeness & intimacy with my H more often…and I know this would have make my hubby feel very happy & emotionally fulfilled as well. SF is a high EN for me, but sometimes I feel my inadequacies and inabilities on sexual level (especially the last few months) stand in my way and prevents me from getting this need maximum fulfilled (for both me and my H)…and this is very frustrating… Do you understand what I mean?

Thanks justempty, your advice & understanding is much appreciated! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />