Posted by mariarp on February 3, 2004, at 16:56:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects » omegon, posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 12:23:37
I am a female and I had been on Paroxetine for about a year or more. This drug helped my mood more than any other, however there were other factors that strayed me away from the med.
Now, after the drug, I realize that my sexuality was being effected a great deal. I didn't have much trouble being aroused, however, achieving an orgasm was nearly impossible. Anytime I was touched by that special someone, I was turned on, but never reached a peak. Of course, thinking it was something wrong with me at the time I faked it.
Paroxetine also caused more stress in my life due to a 60pound weight gain in a little over 7 months.
I have now been switched to Wellbutrin, which I hear is very similar to Effexor. I have been taking this for about a month now, and I have already noticed weight loss. Also, now not only am I able to achieve "bliss", but time after time. I really enjoy it, however, sometimes it comes too often, and I have to relieve myself or I just go crazy. I wonder if that is bad... hmm.
I wonder if anyone besides myself has witnessed such behavior...
-maria
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> > I am also male and was on efexor for something like 2.5 - 3 months. (Memory loss was one side effect for me.) I had somewhat delayed orgasm, but was never unable to get there; I actually considered it an advantage. I was on paroxetine before, which was much more of a problem; it made achieving orgasm an epic quest - took 50 minutes on occasion, which was extremely frustrating since it increased desire and _decreased_ pleasure!
> >
> > The effect was much the same with all doses of efexor I was on. 225mg was the highest, and this actually increased desire several times compared to how I was without medication - though this probably says more about my depression than about the drug. No decrease in sensation/pleasure - if anything it was increased. It was almost worth putting up with the problems it was causing - primarily major mood swings, blurred thinking and lack of energy.
> >
> > If it does cause you sexual problems, you might wait a few weeks before you abandon it if it's working well otherwise: I've seen quite a few reports that suggest the side effects, including the sexual effects, decrease after a few months at the same dose. (People have said anything from 2-6 months, which is admittedly not much of a comfort for something as urgent as sex!)
> >
> > You might try (cautiously) taking 500mg of tyrosine. (Amino acid: a nutritional supplement available over-the-counter - in the UK at least - and a precursor of dopamine and noradrenaline.) This should help a lot with desire and pleasure. You should wait until any anxiety effects from the efexor have gone, though, since the adrenaline increase it causes can be very unpleasant otherwise.
> >
> >
> >
> > > I am a male who has been on 75mg of Effexor XR for several weeks. Has anyone had any experience with increased dosage and the effects on sexual orgasm? Since being on Effexor I have personally experienced delayed orgasm and to a lesser extent the inability to ejaculate. Since I have been plagued with premature ejaculation my entire adult life the delayed ejaculation is a very desirable side effect. I am considering asking my doctor to increase my dosage to combat my depression but am concerned that the increased dosage may result in increased frequency of no ejaculation. Desire and ability to obtain and maintain erection has not been a problem since being on the medication. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
> >
>
> On 75mg of Efexor XR I had delayed orgasm. On 150mg no orgasm. I am now on 225mg with 30mg Remeron added & orgasm is back to normal.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
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poster:mariarp
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040131/msgs/308979.html