Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 350870

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medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

I would strongly consider myself homosexual while taking SSRI medication, as well as when taking no medication at all.

Whenever, however I take a noradrenic antidepressant (notably effexor, remeron, or sinequan) within about a week, I find myself attracted to women, and repulsed by the same sex.


There are also subtle changes in my attitude to accompany it. I am more agressive, and less passive.


Linkadge

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge

Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2004, at 19:11:11

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

> I would strongly consider myself homosexual while taking SSRI medication, as well as when taking no medication at all.
>
> Whenever, however I take a noradrenic antidepressant (notably effexor, remeron, or sinequan) within about a week, I find myself attracted to women, and repulsed by the same sex.
>
>
> There are also subtle changes in my attitude to accompany it. I am more agressive, and less passive.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
that's interesting linkadge because I consider serotonin to be a kind of feminine principle drug in the sense it helps you "receive" feelings of well-being and if you aren't blunted you tend to feel more compassionate and and connected instead of being narrowly focused and trying to conquer someone in search of that feeling of control {masculine/power principle. Naturally, the both always coexist in some proportion or you would be absolutely psychotic or delusionally depressed if either were negatively exaggerated and pathology manifested itself. That's my opinion.

I think you can definitely be aggressive and exhibit the masculine principle {masculine and feminine really don't refer to biological sex and neither sex really owns one princple over another and even those people or images which embody one principle over another really need a healthy dose of the other princple going on in order to be a healthy, long-term surviving individual} as a male in a same-sex situation.

I think in order to be somewhat sane in life you have to be able to submit and also conquer; let go and hold on. Maybe the SSRIs cause feelings that point to a more general need for balance that extends and may be more important and outside your sexuality.

Oddly, enough stimulant type drugs make the opposite of my normal preference more palatable if I am in a calm euphoric {or close to} state. I guess I am the opposite of you in that sense.

Hope all is well!

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge

Posted by psychosage on May 26, 2004, at 19:41:58

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

> I would strongly consider myself homosexual while taking SSRI medication, as well as when taking no medication at all.
>
> Whenever, however I take a noradrenic antidepressant (notably effexor, remeron, or sinequan) within about a week, I find myself attracted to women, and repulsed by the same sex.
>
>
> There are also subtle changes in my attitude to accompany it. I am more agressive, and less passive.
>
>
>
>

Linkadge:


http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web1/lwelsh.html

interesting stuff by a student with interesting links.

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by Simcha on May 26, 2004, at 21:46:32

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge, posted by psychosage on May 26, 2004, at 19:41:58

Linkadge,

That's very interesting. It seems that people are more bisexual than not.

I'm a gay male and somehow I'm one of the few that has never had sex with a woman or even wants to try. I tried and it was terribly creepy and I could not go through with it. Kissing was just icky.

Yet, I do notice that some women are sexy. I've even cuddled with female friends. It's just when they try to kiss me that we run into trouble. I just get the heebie jeebies....ICK!

My medications, (Celexa, Wellbutrin XR, and Neurontin, (occasionally Ambien)), do not cause any change in my sexual orientation. I still feel that kissing women is very creepy and icky.

Without medication I tend to be very sexually compulsive. On medication I am more able to be selective and healthy with my sexual pursuits.

That paper was interesting psychosage...

Having more connections between my amygdala on each side of my brain seems to be a good explanation as to why I tend to be more spiritually sensitive than most people. It kind of goes with the tradition in some cultures that gay men are the shamans...

Anyway, I find that the ways in which all people express their sexuality fascinating. It's also fascinating that medication can affect someone's sexual orientation....

Simcha

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge

Posted by Maximus on May 26, 2004, at 22:31:04

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

> Whenever, however I take a noradrenic antidepressant (notably effexor, remeron, or sinequan) within about a week, I find myself attracted to women, and repulsed by the same sex.

Oh man! What are you waiting for? Take all the noradrenergics antidepressants you can find and get rid of these gay thoughts;-)*jokes*

More seriously, i understand you perfectly. Although i am a pure hetero, when i take a robust noradrenergic antidepressant i feel more confident, my libido increases and i see women everywhere;-)

Changing orientation, i could not tell. However concerning the sexual behavior, there must be a tight relation between serotonin and norepinephrine. I see serotonin like a big brake, an anesthesic.

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by delna on May 26, 2004, at 23:17:19

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge, posted by Maximus on May 26, 2004, at 22:31:04

On a similar note, I felt I was a totally gay woman.(althought i still dated men due to other factors)The medication (including the SSRI's) have helped me see a small bisexual side of myself. Interestingly for me, i am more attracted to women at certain stages of my 'cycle'
D

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 8:37:17

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by delna on May 26, 2004, at 23:17:19

Oycontin, the "cuddle/love hormone" is robustly raised by SSRI's and similar SSRI's.

Without drugs I would be a pure homosexual. On SSRI's I can accept that and believe its ok and that I am not a bad person because of it. But on the SNRI's it is like that animal instinct comes out and I coudn't care about foreplay, I just plain want sex, at this point I become slightly more hetero.

Yes I like that concept of having more connections in the amygdala. I have always
been concidered the only 'religiously free'
person in the family. My siblings would die
if they, for a second denounced orthodox
christianity. Considering the strong connection
between religion/fear and the amydala.
I'm just taking crazy now....


Linkadge

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 8:41:41

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 8:37:17

Oh and one other thing. SSRI's seem to make me more intereted in things like, talking, holding hands, etc. SSRI's seem to make men seem less barbarian.


Linkadge

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by LastDyingWish on May 27, 2004, at 11:36:49

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by Simcha on May 26, 2004, at 21:46:32

Hey linkadge, where did you read that SSRIs cause a rise in oxytocin ? because I remember reading on biopsychiatry that SSRIs inhibit oxytocin and this may be part of the reason for sexual dysfunction. And also that dopamine was responsible for oxy release. Just curious

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by T_R_D on May 27, 2004, at 11:40:31

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

Wow, what an intriguing thread. I had never thought of this before. I identify as a lesbian/gay woman whatever... I haven't found that any meds have changed my preference/arousal levels but what I HAVE noticed is that I am more likely to sleep with men if I am in a manic phase of my cycle. It's obviously the fact of being hypersexed but not necessarily with women. Granted, when manic I would love to sleep with women too...maybe I just open up to whatever possibilities are available.

And all these years I thought it was a "problem" with me and my identity (crises.)

Not that one's diagnosis is an excuse for ANY behaviour (esp. negative) but it certainly is a/the reason!

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge

Posted by Scott in Vermont on May 27, 2004, at 12:30:57

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 8:41:41

> Oh and one other thing. SSRI's seem to make me more intereted in things like, talking, holding hands, etc. SSRI's seem to make men seem less barbarian.
>
>
> Linkadge


Interesting. I have given this some thought since I read the above (as well as the rest of the information in this thread). I reviewed my own actions that were "before" and "after" Lexapro. Before, and I was depressed, I was totally passive and sought sexual attention in a passive posture from sexually dominant partners. When I was manic, I was aggressively dominant and I was hypersexual.

Since the Lexapro, I've found a much more stable middle ground. I am “passive” some days, but I don't "bottom". Other days I am more assertive, but I don't "Top" (unless it's part of the play).

But I have also noticed that in both cases, there is a distinct "before" and "after" playtime that is sharing, considerate, and genuine. This is new for me. It's not something I "have" to do, it's something I want to and something I enjoy doing... but never gave much thought where this came from. I thought it was due to the emotional hell I have been through over the last year or so because I've never been a very "warm and fuzzy" person when it comes to intimate contact, and that I wanted to change that and be more attentive and personal. But perhaps not? That’s going to be something I think about for a while. However, either way, I accept it for what it is, the cause is not as important as the effect. I just want to know which one it is, in case I ever change meds.

I've left out the "preference" issue because that hasn't changed at all. I'm omnivorous. :)

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 12:35:44

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by T_R_D on May 27, 2004, at 11:40:31

read the whole abstract (short) at

http://biopsychiatry.com/oxytocinssri.htm

But I think you are right in that some ssri's (I have read - prozac) can inhibit oxytocin.

Linkadge

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 12:40:04

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 12:35:44

Here is one saying prozac inhibits oxytocin release, so perhaps it depends on the specific med.

http://biopsychiatry.com/fluoxsex.htm

Linkadge

 

oxytocin

Posted by LastDyingWish on May 27, 2004, at 19:34:11

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 12:40:04

Linkadge, would you have any information reguarding Buspars effect on oxy levels. My doc just prescribed it and Iam unsure if its right for me. One of my main problems is a low sex drive. I would really like a med that can help with that. Any info will be appreciated.

 

Re: oxytocin » LastDyingWish

Posted by zeugma on May 27, 2004, at 19:42:29

In reply to oxytocin, posted by LastDyingWish on May 27, 2004, at 19:34:11

> Linkadge, would you have any information reguarding Buspars effect on oxy levels. My doc just prescribed it and Iam unsure if its right for me. One of my main problems is a low sex drive. I would really like a med that can help with that. Any info will be appreciated.


Buspar by itself can help with sex drive. Unfortunately, it does nothing for social phobia, so I doubt that a med that increases my sex drive helps my overall situation, if you understand what I mean. But it may help your problem.

 

a little off topic » linkadge

Posted by zeugma on May 27, 2004, at 19:57:19

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

Linkadge,

Since these meds have such profound influences on core identity concerns, I would like to a couple of (somewhat related) questions.

Do you notice a change in body image while on SSRI's as opposed to noradrenergic meds? I.e., do you feel more attuned/disattuned to bodily sensation? Do serotonergetic or noradrenergic meds cause your bodily self-perception to be more stable? Or is there no change?

Also, I have a split, but between the artistic (I write poetry, plays) and the abstract (my field of study is philosophy, although I often hate it, and I become obsessed at times with mathematics, although I am actually mathematically dyslexic [this problem does exist, and I have a particular problem reading operator signs, and algebra was impossible because I reverse the letters of variables]). I think of this as a 'concrete/abstract' split, although I definitely lean toward the abstract intellectually. Do you find that different meds influence these aspects of intellect?

 

Re: oxytocin

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 20:41:16

In reply to Re: oxytocin » LastDyingWish, posted by zeugma on May 27, 2004, at 19:42:29

I beleve that it may enhance oxy levels. I read that 5ht1a agonsts can increase OXy levels, although don't ask me for that study cause I don't have clue where to find it :)


Linkadge

 

Re: a little off topic

Posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 21:07:57

In reply to a little off topic » linkadge, posted by zeugma on May 27, 2004, at 19:57:19

These are good questions as very interesting to me infact. Pure SSRI's like citalopram make my personality transperant, they kind of make me seem as if mood does not exist. The SNRI's make me feel a little more present.

The SSRI's make me feel like I exist only inside my head, and the SNRI's make me feel more in my body, (if I was a parapalegic - I would much rather be on an SSRI's, as you wouldn't miss too much of your body).

SSRI's definately make things seem more real, which almost makes me a little scared about death, and illness, the sence of time is dramatically enhanced while on SNRI's for me.
You feel your life has a bit more depth and meaning, but they also make me more fearful religiously. On SNRI's I feel I need to have things straight with god, but on SSRI's I feel more reliously liberated, in terms of poetry I would say an SNRI's is definately a better choice, I was much more poetic on effexor than on celexa.

I am majoring in mathematics at university here in canada, and have been trying to find a mood med that won't hurt my cognition. The noradrenic antidepressants make you very tuned into what is real and physical. THey tend to make me more obsessive. I *need* to fully understand each and every problem. You *need* to see the solution from start to finish. On effexor I had a very hard time letting things go on 'just a hunch'

On celexa, I was much dummer at the mechanical aspects of mathematics *BUT* *much* more intuitive. The 5ht2a,c activation (similar to LSD) lets you totally pull out of the problem, and see the whole picture. When you see the whole picture, you are much less obsessive about the individual parts. SSRI's make me feel '"confident about my hunches"', and hence I can more easily let it go at intuition.

If its grunt work, choose an SNRI, or augement with a dopimanerigic, but if it is absract stuff that you are only kind of supposed to understand than choose an SSRI.

If you want depth to your emotion, then I would recomend Effexor with periactin which blocks the 5-ht2a/ 2c receptors and will allow you to obsess about things.

It really depends where you are in your situation, do you need to see the forest? or the trees ?


Linkadge

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference » linkadge

Posted by jerrympls on May 27, 2004, at 21:11:49

In reply to medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 26, 2004, at 17:08:31

> I would strongly consider myself homosexual while taking SSRI medication, as well as when taking no medication at all.
>
> Whenever, however I take a noradrenic antidepressant (notably effexor, remeron, or sinequan) within about a week, I find myself attracted to women, and repulsed by the same sex.
>
>
> There are also subtle changes in my attitude to accompany it. I am more agressive, and less passive.
>
>
> Linkadge
>

Interesting. Did you know back inthe daythey used to give homosexuals Nardil to attempt to reverse any homoerotic thoughts/behaviors. I am gay (orientation not preference) and was on Nardil. It TOTALLY wiped out my sex drive/desire, etc. I didn't look at any guy - BUT - I never grew sexually fond of females.

Very interesting you have this effect!

Jerry ;-)

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by Noa on May 28, 2004, at 6:02:09

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 8:37:17

SSRIs are also disinhibiting (that's one of the reasons they are used for social phobia). I wonder if this may be part of the reason?

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by LastDyingWish on May 28, 2004, at 9:49:36

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by Noa on May 28, 2004, at 6:02:09

linkadge, which of the noradrenergic medications do you find most beneficial without the cognitive problems ? Iam very interested because i also am a college student.

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by linkadge on May 28, 2004, at 10:57:08

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by LastDyingWish on May 28, 2004, at 9:49:36

You probably want to try combining straterra with an SSRI. I found that while effexor was better than the average SSRI for cognition, it has some unreported anticholinergic side effects that make things foggy.

Linkadge

 

thanks link (nm)

Posted by LastDyingWish on May 28, 2004, at 11:04:33

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 28, 2004, at 10:57:08

 

Re: medications change my sexual preference

Posted by zeugma on May 28, 2004, at 11:18:22

In reply to Re: medications change my sexual preference, posted by linkadge on May 28, 2004, at 10:57:08

> You probably want to try combining straterra with an SSRI. I found that while effexor was better than the average SSRI for cognition, it has some unreported anticholinergic side effects that make things foggy.
>
> Linkadge

Strattera is definitely a good med for brain fog. You just have to watch out for fatigue catching up to you on this med.

 

Re: a little off topic

Posted by Questionmark on May 28, 2004, at 17:53:19

In reply to Re: a little off topic, posted by linkadge on May 27, 2004, at 21:07:57

> You feel your life has a bit more depth and meaning, but they also make me more fearful religiously. On SNRI's I feel I need to have things straight with god, but on SSRI's I feel more reliously liberated, in terms of poetry I would say an SNRI's is definately a better choice, I was much more poetic on effexor than on celexa.

Interesting. i personally concur with this paragraph (except "SNRIs" could be replaced with "any catecholaminergic" for me).


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