Posted by Kathleen6674 on September 3, 2001, at 22:00:50
In reply to las chicas et al...sexual dysfunction?, posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 22:43:44
> it seems like we're mostly chicks on this board...i don't want to be inappropriate, but what exactly does "sexual dysfunction" mean, specifically? can i tell you the problem i've been having? if you're going to be embarrassed stop reading here.
>
> okay. do AD's reduce lubrication somehow? that's the only dysfunction i've had...
>
> thanks broads,
> sar
For me sexual dysfunction usually means not being able to have an orgasm, or taking a really, really long time to reach one that feels like a mere twitch compared to my pre-meds state. My bits 'n pieces have been remarkably numbed by my Celexa (and previously, Prozac, although I'm finding Celexa to be worse in this department).I imagine this is what it feels like to be wearing 15 condoms - it feels like trying to be stimulated through a fairly thick barrier.
Lately, I've had problems getting aroused at all, too, and some lubrication problems. It seems like this med is pretty bad for sex stuff, although philosophically, I'm wondering if perhaps it wasn't actually worse when I felt desire and couldn't pull through than when I don't ever feel desire at all? However, I used to be able to make myself interested if I wasn't already so in a mere heartbeat or so, now I can't get into things (or keep my focus and interest) on the proceedings.
"Sexual dysfunction," I agree, can mean a lot of things, but in my experience, if one part of the system gets out of whack, it wreaks havoc on many, many other things. I've seen two relationships end because my partners at the time were frustrated at my inability to orgasm. All this claptrap about enjoying sex with out the big "O" or having heart-to-heart talks with your partner - I dunno, maybe it works if you've been married to your soulmate for 50 years, but in my experience as a single person, it's basically stopped relationships when they were just starting to get revved up. From what I've seen, men will *say* it doesn't matter and that they know it isn't them, but no matter how much I've tried to explain that it was a med prob, they always either took it personally as a statement of them lacking virility and/or took as a sign that I didn't like them enough.
*sigh*
As far as this stuff goes, I wish doctors and pharmeceutical companies would realize just how serious and common this problem is. For some reason, it seems like docs dismiss this - oh, you'll get used to it, or you're young and probably don't know what you're doing, or that's a residual symptom of the depression you had. (Funny, but my sexual plumbing never conked out even when I was in the pit of despair).
Arrrrrgggghh. This has turned into an extended rant. Sorry. I guess I needed to vent.
poster:Kathleen6674
thread:10709
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010901/msgs/10768.html