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Re: effexor & orgasm (or lack thereof)

Posted by Cindy W on January 14, 2000, at 21:36:32

In reply to effexor & orgasm (or lack thereof), posted by michael on January 14, 2000, at 19:32:13

> Seems to be a fairly knowledgeable crowd, so here's another one...
>
> My main question has to do with delayed orgasm or difficulty/inability to reach orgasm while taking antidepressants, specifically effexor. (I'm a 33 year old male)
>
> My specifics:
>
> I'm taking effexor XR 75 mg/once daily, and 150mg of wellbutrin SR twice daily, for dysthymia. Since I have been taking the effexor, I have had difficulty reaching orgasm, or at times, been unable to reach orgasm. The effexor seems to help me to focus & think a bit more clearly, and I am somewhat more outgoing again (don't avoid conversations, actually start them, etc.), and I am somewhat less sleepy & run-down. But it has not eliminated the tired/run-down/sleepy/non-motivated/lack-of-energy feelings.
>
> The effexor seems to have a sedtive effect on me, so I find taking the effexor when I go to bed is best for me. I'm taking the wellbutrin to assist in trying to quit smoking.
>
> The combination with wellbutrin hasn't helped any as far as the orgasm issue goes. Nor has it as far as the other issues are concerned, but it does help with the smoking. (I initially had tried wellbutrin alone, switched to effexor, and now have added wellbutrin to the effexor - over roughly 2 year period)
>
> I'm on a relatively low dose of the effexor already, so reducing the dose doesn't seem to be a very practical option? (especially since I haven't completely shaken the dysthymia yet) I have also tried ginko biloba (40mg three times daily), which helps slightly.
>
> The Questions...?
>
> 1) I have read about "holidays/vacations" for a couple of days from antidepressant medications , in order to avoid some of the unwanted side effects. However, I thoughtI had typically seen these "holidays" with respect to SSRI's. Is that an effective & safe option with effexor? (I have missed a couple of days of effexor in the past, and not had any problems with withdrawl - however, don't know at this time if it solves my problem, or if it has any impact on the theraputic effects of the effexor)
>
> 2) I've also seen adding another medication as another possible solution for the orgasm issue: amantadine (which I believe I have read may also address some of the fatigue?), bromocriptine or granisetron (both of which I gather are very expensive), buspirone, cyproheptadine, and yohimbine. Once again (with the exception of bromocriptine, which I saw specifically mentioned with effexor) I believe it has been predominantly in conjunction with SSRI's that I have seen these.
>
> So...?
>
> I'm just looking for any feedback, comments, opinions, experience, preferenes, etc. anyone might have to offer with respect to this issue, and any (all?) of the myriad of anecdotal remedies I mentioned above... Or any additional info, remedies, etc. that may be of use. (I'll be discussing this w/my psych doctor next appointment, but it's not for a while)
>
> Thanks for taking the time to read all of this (hope it's somewhat coherent), and thanks for any advice/feedback/info you may have to provide.
>
> michael

Michael, sorry to hear the Effexor isn't working out for you. I'm taking Effexor 225 mg/day, and hope my psychdoc will increase it next visit. It makes me feel more energetic and less depressed, and decreases my obsessions and compulsions a bit, and doesn't interfere with orgasm. I tried SSRI's (Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft) and they interfered with desire, arousal and orgasm (I tried once for four hours without getting anywhere!). Serzone didn't interfere with orgasm and made me less depressed and less socially anxious, but didn't decrease my obsessions and compulsions. Check out the article by Dr. Jenike on sexual side effects of SSRI's at the OC Foundation (Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation) online; he has an excellent discussion of remedies available for counteracting sexual side effects of antidepressants, including Viagra, periactin, ginkgo biloba, yohimbe. I tried ginkgo biloga and yohimbe but they didn't help. Lately I have read that mianserin can be helpful for women. Good luck and please let us know if you find something that works (I'm on Effexor-XR too!)--Cindy W


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poster:Cindy W thread:18943
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