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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dinah on January 30, 2002, at 17:26:56
Is there anything to be done about constant sexual arousal during hypomania? I am just very mildly hypomanic at the moment, but the constant arousal is annoying and beginning to be painful.
Please don't suggest the obvious. Tried that and the results only last for a short while.
A rather embarassed, but distressed.
Dinah
Posted by CtrlAlt n Del on January 30, 2002, at 20:11:42
In reply to Hypomania and sex, posted by Dinah on January 30, 2002, at 17:26:56
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 30, 2002, at 22:30:49
In reply to Hypomania and sex, posted by Dinah on January 30, 2002, at 17:26:56
> Is there anything to be done about constant sexual arousal during hypomania? I am just very mildly hypomanic at the moment, but the constant arousal is annoying and beginning to be painful.
> Please don't suggest the obvious. Tried that and the results only last for a short while.
> A rather embarassed, but distressed.
> DinahDinah,
Not sure if this really applies much to you, but without an SSRI, I feel that I must constantly have sex and of course my anxiety and depression are much higher. Have had concerns about bipolar II, but then you'd think on the SSRI my sex drive would be even higher. This is not the case however.I remember feeling as though I needed to have sex 3-5 times a day at one point in my life (pre-ssri).
Scott
Posted by ethan on January 31, 2002, at 5:05:14
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex » Dinah, posted by Mr. Scott on January 30, 2002, at 22:30:49
What is "wrong" with having sex three to five times a day? Is it that your body can not tolerate the physical strain or stress (do you need to use some sort of lubricant, for example, to assist in preventing chafing -- I'm being frank for a reason here)? Is it because you actually do not desire to have sex that often that you question the validity of your body's evident "need"? I don't question that you feel this is inappropriate for you, however I would only ask that you question why it is that you feel this is inappropriate? Is it a societal "norm" that tells you sex three to five times a day is "wrong"? Is it some sort of religious predisposition that says sex is inherently wrong or to be engaged in only infrequently? If discomfort is the issue could you somehow modify your activities to induce less stress or impact on your body? (Yes, you could; this is a no brainer). Because you desire to have sex three to five times a day, does this mandate that you actually carry out that desire? What happens when you acknoweldge the "need" but relegate the activity to the backburner in favor of other physical activites through which you might sublimate your sexual requirements? Is this an option you've considered? Again, who says sex three to five times a day is inappropriate for ANYone, and even if that person is someone you admire or an entity you feel is capable of dictating such a truism, what evidence is there that such an opinion is valid from a physiological standpoint (if you moderate your activites to prevent undue stress and pain as a result of overexertion -- something only an individual can determine on his or her own)?
> > Is there anything to be done about constant sexual arousal during hypomania? I am just very mildly hypomanic at the moment, but the constant arousal is annoying and beginning to be painful.
> > Please don't suggest the obvious. Tried that and the results only last for a short while.
> > A rather embarassed, but distressed.
> > Dinah
>
> Dinah,
> Not sure if this really applies much to you, but without an SSRI, I feel that I must constantly have sex and of course my anxiety and depression are much higher. Have had concerns about bipolar II, but then you'd think on the SSRI my sex drive would be even higher. This is not the case however.
>
> I remember feeling as though I needed to have sex 3-5 times a day at one point in my life (pre-ssri).
>
>
> Scott
Posted by Dinah on January 31, 2002, at 8:48:02
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex, posted by ethan on January 31, 2002, at 5:05:14
Hmmm. I'm not making any judgements on how often a day sex should be had. But this is not a notmal state of affairs for me. It only happens when I'm hypomanic or in an agitated depression. It is also not at all enjoyable. I'm not talking about pleasure here. I'm talking about pain, discomfort, and all I get from it is a release of tension, not pleasure. There are no erotic thoughts, nothing but the physical sensation. So while I'm talking about sex, there's nothing really sexy about it. I don't suppose anyone who hasn't experienced it can really understand the non-sexual nature of the sexual arousal.
Sigh. I suppose I'll just have to wait out the hypomania. I actually slept last night and that should help things considerably, especially if I can get a few good nights sleep in a row.
Thanks
Dinah
Posted by CtrlAlt n Del on January 31, 2002, at 12:42:13
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex is not pleasurable » ethan, posted by Dinah on January 31, 2002, at 8:48:02
Dinah.
If your on an ssri it could be female priapism where your "bits" are over sensitive you can have clitorial erection and can be painful it's like a man having constant erection but for them it's dangerous.
Apart from ssri's , hypomania/mania can cause this .
Don't try and look in the web very little info for females -only info for men ...
Posted by ethan on January 31, 2002, at 13:44:23
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex is not pleasurable » ethan, posted by Dinah on January 31, 2002, at 8:48:02
Didn't/don't mean to sound insensitive about the condition. The real offender is the hypomania, the sex is the unfortunate side effect, right? This sounds lousy. I take Trazadone and was warned that priapism can be a side effect. I had taken it without any problems but took it one night and then had to take a cold medication later on, and the two medications didn't seem to get along; without being graphic I experienced an arousal that was unexpected, uncomforatble, and wouldn't go away for hours. It was worrisome; treatment for priapism can involve irreparable damage. It went away thank goodness, and I now know not to mix the medications (under any circumstances). I hope you can find a way to short-circuit the sexual aggravation, DInah...my condolences.
> Hmmm. I'm not making any judgements on how often a day sex should be had. But this is not a notmal state of affairs for me. It only happens when I'm hypomanic or in an agitated depression. It is also not at all enjoyable. I'm not talking about pleasure here. I'm talking about pain, discomfort, and all I get from it is a release of tension, not pleasure. There are no erotic thoughts, nothing but the physical sensation. So while I'm talking about sex, there's nothing really sexy about it. I don't suppose anyone who hasn't experienced it can really understand the non-sexual nature of the sexual arousal.
> Sigh. I suppose I'll just have to wait out the hypomania. I actually slept last night and that should help things considerably, especially if I can get a few good nights sleep in a row.
> Thanks
> Dinah
Posted by OldSchool on January 31, 2002, at 21:27:25
In reply to Hypomania and sex, posted by Dinah on January 30, 2002, at 17:26:56
> Is there anything to be done about constant sexual arousal during hypomania? I am just very mildly hypomanic at the moment, but the constant arousal is annoying and beginning to be painful.
> Please don't suggest the obvious. Tried that and the results only last for a short while.
> A rather embarassed, but distressed.
> DinahWow, Im jealous. LOL Wish I could have a high sex drive for a change. Joking.
Seriously, hypomania would point to some kind of bipolar disorder. Maybe a mood stabiliser would be in order to kill the hypomania and level you out to normal?
Posted by Dinah on February 1, 2002, at 0:20:37
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex is not pleasurable, posted by CtrlAlt n Del on January 31, 2002, at 12:42:13
Thanks,
I really think the problem is something like that. Although I can get relief. It's just very temporary, and not very pleasurable. I'm not on any SSRI's but I'm pretty sure it's the hypomania. And it's even a very mild hypomania - it barely even qualifies as hypomania.
You know I have to confess that I enjoyed it for the first week or so. But that's long enough. After a while the enjoyable part goes away completely and it's just painful. (And it interferes with my work.)
I upped my Depakote a bit and I hope the problem will resolve itself soon - very soon.
Thanks again. It helps to know that someone understands.
Dinah
Posted by lyn n on February 5, 2002, at 13:28:12
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex is not pleasurable » CtrlAlt n Del, posted by Dinah on February 1, 2002, at 0:20:37
> Thanks,
> I really think the problem is something like that. Although I can get relief. It's just very temporary, and not very pleasurable. I'm not on any SSRI's but I'm pretty sure it's the hypomania. And it's even a very mild hypomania - it barely even qualifies as hypomania.
> You know I have to confess that I enjoyed it for the first week or so. But that's long enough. After a while the enjoyable part goes away completely and it's just painful. (And it interferes with my work.)
> I upped my Depakote a bit and I hope the problem will resolve itself soon - very soon.
> Thanks again. It helps to know that someone understands.
> Dinah
I can't believe I found someone with the same problem as me. I have had this problem for a long time and it has gotten worse with a major onset of depression and anxiety. I have found the SSRI's do help. They seem to be the only thing that can decrease this. I agree it is very unconfortable and it interferes with my daily living. Please e-mail me as I am interested in talking with you more.
Posted by Dinah on February 5, 2002, at 22:48:56
In reply to Re: Hypomania and sex is not pleasurable, posted by lyn n on February 5, 2002, at 13:28:12
Hi,
I'm afraid I've posted everything I know about this. It's definitely related to the hypomania, although I have had brief experiences associated with panic attacks. Oh and it also happened when I withdrew from Luvox, Klonopin, and Depakote all at once. When the Depakote kicks in and I start sleeping regularly this problem will go away until the next time.
I'll agree though that SSRI's would solve the problem. I had no arousal at all for four years on Luvox, even when hypomanic. Those SSRI's are something else.
Good luck with your problem. I'm glad the SSRI's are working for you. I'm doing a bit better on an increased dose of Depakote and I'm probably going to increase it again.
Best wishes,
Dinah
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