Sexual side effects of Celexa-any suggestions?

[Karen]

My boyfriend has been on Celexa (Citalopram) for several years now for treatment of panic attacks.He is 41 and takes 30mg per day, It treats the panic attacks effectively, however the reason for this post is the sexual side effects. He has almost no sex drive whatsoever, and when he does get "in the mood" he is unable to orgasm. Needless to say, these things have a negative impact on him mentally because he feels very humiliated when it comes to us having sex as much as I tell him not to. We have been together as a couple for 2 years and in that time have only had actual intercourse twice. Hes tried stopping the medication in the past with very bad withdrawals which made him start again and has said he had just accepted that the sexual part of his life was over before he met me.

Is there anyone out there who has had these same type issues and has successfully treated them? Regardless of whether we find a treatment, I am devoted to him and will face whatever life brings us, but I have to admit at times I do get frustrated and really desire that intimacy and closeness.

[tara]

I have no urge for sex since i have been on 20 mg of celexa when i was on 10mg i had some urge i have been married for 10 years so it doesn t seem to bother me that much beacuse beeing happy in life is worth it.

[Bangalee]

Karen, I don't think he's being fair to himself or to you by resigning himself to a sexless life. He has absolutely nothing to be humiliated about -it's the drug that's doing this to him! That's like being ashamed your face went numb after the dentist gave you a shot of novocaine.

Has your beau discussed this problem with his psychiatrist or family doctor? The simple solution might be to switch to another anti-depressant, or maybe cut the Celexa to a lower dose (e.g. 10mg) and supplement it with another medication. Not all anti-depressants have to rob men and women of their sex lives.

As a 35-year-old male, anti-depressants did change my sex life temporarily but luckily I gradually adapted so that I am "in the mood" to have sex 2-3 times per week despite being on 40mg/day of Celexa and 300 mg/day of Wellbutrin. True, it does take me longer to orgasm, I have to focus a lot more and I have to wait at least 12, sometimes 24 hours before I can orgasm again, but they are more intense and last noticeably longer.

The addition of Wellbutrin did nothing to affect my sex life. About 5 years ago I was put on Effexor. That made my depression worse but my sexual ability was OK. That doesn't mean Effexor is bad for everyone.

The point is Celexa is not the only choice; there are several others. Celexa isn't even meant primarily as a treatment for panic attacks - maybe there is another medication more tailored towards treating this. Your boyfriend should talk to his doctor about other options. 41 is far too young to give up on sex!

[Anonymous]

I have been there, where your bf is. Remember, sex can still be enjoyable without the actual 'act'. It can still be almost just as enjoyable to touch and massage. Sex is not all about penetration or orgasm. It's about being close to the one you love. Yes, he may have a accept that certain parts of his love life is over, but there is still plenty of enjoyment to be had.

To Ted--you need shutup!

[Anne]

Ted

It's people like you that ruin it for the rest of us. Go somewhere else!

[Anne]

I've taken every anti depressant under the sun. The only one that doesn't have any sexual side effects is welbutrin.

[Julia]

I agree with Anne. Wellbutrin (bupropion) does not cause sexual side effects. It is somewhat activating, unlike SSRIs.

The main concerns with wellbutrin (http://www.originaldrugs.com/wellbutrin-xl.sh... ) are:
- it can cause seizures (hence not suitable for people who are at risk of seizures)
- it can cause agitation, insomnia, anxiety (hence not the best medication if anxiety is present)
- has high potential for drug interactions (may be not suitable for people taking several medications)

[charl]

Is it possible to take the first dose of celexa and that night have no sensation when having sexual intercourse and prolonged ejaculation?

[Ezin]

Are you talking emotional sensation, or physical sensations?

Numb genitals are one possible effect - it's rare but reported. Happened to me. So are patches of numbness around various parts of the body.

Emotional numbness also a side-effect.

Again, it seems rare for it to kick in after one pill... but for those who have had severe adverse reactions, all sorts of effects have occurred from a solitary dose.

[Jim age 42]

I was put on zoloft to help with depression, after one day on it I lost the sensation of have a orgasm. After taken it for 3 more days, all I could think about was never have an orgasm again, so I had my doctor change my meds, I ask for Wellbutrin and he put me on 10mg of Celexa. I am on day 4, I have no sex drive at all now. I don't think about it like I did when on zoloft. But, I want my sex drive back. I'm wondering if I should continue to take this until my next doctor appointment which is in 3 weeks or stop it now? I'm also having a hard time sleeping, I have dry month, and my stomach is upset. I am also have dreams of people dieing or killing themselves.

[Ash]

My husband has been taking Celexa for about 2 months now. I have to say that our sex life has always been great but since he has been on the meds things have changes drastically. He can get an erection but can not ejaculate, that is when he wants to have sex. Does anyone know what I should try with him? Or how to approach him with this...sometimes I get really frustrated but dont want to upset him????

[mrs b]

I was put on celexa to help me wind down and get to sleep at night. I was taking 150 mg of well butrin twice a day and was doing great. But when going through my step mom's death I had difficulty sleeping so she changed my meds to taking 40 mg of clexa at night and only one dose of 150 mg welbutrin in the morning. I did not notice a difference in my sleeping but i kept tkaing it. Well five months later I finally realize that the 20unds I have gained in those 5 months and the complete loss of sex drive is due to the celexa. That is when everything started. I am tall and can carry weight. But I have had 5 children and always had a flat stomach. I can work out for a week and my body shape changes. I never try to lose weight...just nches. I go by how I feel in my clothes. But now my clothing size has changed....I feel horrible physically and the weight gain certainly adds to the already low desire for sex. My husband has been asking me for months what has gotten in to me. I never had an answer. Now I know. I put it all together when I told my cousin I was on celea and she told me not to take it...she gained 60 pounds on it! So I am no longer talking it. I am back on the welbutrin twice a day and have to simply not have caffeine after noon time and force myself to work out and try to read till my eyes are so tired I cannot stay awake.
I am thrilled to know what has been worng. I had athyroid test, hormone test done...everything. I could not understand how I gained all that weight. Now I know and I am correcting the situation. When you have had a fit athletic body all of your life even after 5 chilren (4 by c section) it does not make one feel good to look in the mirror and see a body that I do not recognize. My husband is glad that he now knows what had changed in me...and it was a drastic change. cannot wait to have the old me back

[Lonely partner]

My live-in mate and I are both on antidepressants and have been for several months now. He is on Celexa and I am on Lexapro. It is horrible for our love life. He has almost no desire what-so-ever and I sometimes cannot orgasm completely when I know it is not for lack of good work and emotional connection. I don't know how to handle this because he is embarrassed and ashamed when it isn't his fault. I just want the intimacy and not to feel rejected. Further, I am starting to worry that if I stay on the meds for too long I will not be able to go off them without horrible trouble so we can get pregnant when we are ready. I guess that would be two questions.

[Frustrated43]

I've been on Zoloft for 13 years due to anxiety/depression. My sex drive did not suffer much plus I slept well. This year I had a panic attack and thought I was having a heart issue. Many tests confirmed my heart was fine. So, I went to a psych and he changed my meds to 40mg of Celexa. The side effects were a nightmare! No sex drive, slept only an hour per night if I was lucky, restless and itchy all over, difficulty concentrating, dizzy/spacey feeling, dry mouth, etc. I stayed on 40mg for 12 weeks, giving it a chance to see if these issues will pass -- they didn't. I lowered my dose to 20mg by cutting the pill in half. My psych was OK with that. That alleviated a lot of the side effects except the two I really wanted, insomnia and no sex drive. I experimented with the times I took the med. When I took it at night I didn't sleep and had no sex drive the next morning. When I took it in the AM I slept better and had a better sex drive in the morning (before taking the next dose). However, for hours after taking it I was restless and itchy, like pins and needles. It made it difficult to concentrate at work. Disgusted again I just lowered the dose to 10mg and will be taking it in the AM. I'll give it at least 6 weeks before making a determination. If it doesn't help I'm going back on Zoloft!!!

[Bob]

I've just started taking medications to treat my bipolar disorder and even though I've only been taking them for eight days, I've decided to stop. I was taking ithium and celexa and they're both worthless. I'm tired all the time, my hands shake and I can't have sex. I'd rather be a nut job every once in a while and have my old life back. Screw both those medications.

[frank]

Karen wrote:

My boyfriend has been on Celexa (Citalopram) for several years now for treatment of panic attacks.He is 41 and takes 30mg per day, It treats the panic attacks effectively, however the reason for this post is the sexual side effects. He has almost no sex drive whatsoever, and when he does get "in the mood" he is unable to orgasm. Needless to say, these things have a negative impact on him mentally because he feels very humiliated when it comes to us having sex as much as I tell him not to. We have been together as a couple for 2 years and in that time have only had actual intercourse twice. Hes tried stopping the medication in the past with very bad withdrawals which made him start again and has said he had just accepted that the sexual part of his life was over before he met me.
Is there anyone out there who has had these same type issues and has successfully treated them? Regardless of whether we find a treatment, I am devoted to him and will face whatever life brings us, but I have to admit at times I do get frustrated and really desire that intimacy and closeness.

My girlfriend is getting a bit disturbed over my deficiencies with sex. My libido is very low. I have some level of ED and low libido. I have been on good ole celexa for about 2 years now and zoloft before that. I am off celexa now only 6 days. I went from 40mg to 20mg for 2 weeks and then none. I hve some effects such as light headedness when I geyt up sometimes from sofa. I feel a bit lethargic at times no energy. I swear to myself Im not going back! Im tired of being on drugs. I want to feel alive again and the tradeoff of sex is not worth the pill. Not sure if celexa is the main problem yet. Ok this is personal but ex. last night I decided to get frisky with girlfriend I am 54 she is 52. I did not wish to take my last viagra so I decided to orally satisfy her while in process pleasure myself hopefully to point that I could be hard enough to penetrate her. I could not get to that point but I did manage even without a strong erection to get myself off. What is bothersome and can be bothersome is when your partner is pressuring you to find out what problem is. In her mind she thinks maybe Im seeing someone else and thats for the problem with her sexually. On the other hand maybe Im not attracted to her{in her mind}. I got a free and total testosterone test it was fair for my level. Not good but fair. My prolactin level I am waithinbg for results as last doctor could not find records of my results. Add celexa to formula and you have to takle a wild guess as to why libido is gone. I dont masturbate and really dont think of sex much. I can find myself mentally aroused to watch a good looking naked woman on Tv such as new show on satellite HBO Called Jane something or another. She talks about sex. I have interest in sex on some level but I dont get erection unless fondled or groped or rubbed. Moprning times I find myself with an erection acassionally but I heard that is peak time for mes testosterone levels. We usually have sex at night when Id rather be resting or sleeping. Ok any comments?

[frank]

Karen wrote:

My boyfriend has been on Celexa (Citalopram) for several years now for treatment of panic attacks.He is 41 and takes 30mg per day, It treats the panic attacks effectively, however the reason for this post is the sexual side effects. He has almost no sex drive whatsoever, and when he does get "in the mood" he is unable to orgasm. Needless to say, these things have a negative impact on him mentally because he feels very humiliated when it comes to us having sex as much as I tell him not to. We have been together as a couple for 2 years and in that time have only had actual intercourse twice. Hes tried stopping the medication in the past with very bad withdrawals which made him start again and has said he had just accepted that the sexual part of his life was over before he met me.
Is there anyone out there who has had these same type issues and has successfully treated them? Regardless of whether we find a treatment, I am devoted to him and will face whatever life brings us, but I have to admit at times I do get frustrated and really desire that intimacy and closeness.

my advice to all. gET OF THE STUFF! dONT START. fIND OTHER WAYS TO DEAL WITH YOUR PROBLEMS SUCH AS THERAPY OR EXPLORE YOUR DIET AND PHYSICAL HEALTH FIRST. The only people benefitting from these drugs are the drug companies who are selling them. I do not know what other side effects I will experience getting off celex but Im willing to ride it out if it means feeling like a alive person rather than a ZOMBIE on these freaking drugs. What is it worth to you to feel human again?

[frank]

My solution in future for staying off celexa is that in case I do have a panic or anxiety attack is to crry with me a bottle of Alprazolam{zanax} It is fact acting unlike valium. Its my emergency solution just in case. Its better than taking celexa every day. Hey folks who knows I may wind up back on the stuff its early yet. I truthfully do not know how bad my discontinuance of celexa will effect me?Only been less than a week. Yes I do know how horrible a panic attack is and you swear to yourself Im never getting off this stuff. Find a way if you can. Is it worth giving up your sex life for celexa? I know its easier said than done, Im testuing right now. Hopefully I will not have any bad mood swings, and any other horrible relapses of anxiety and or tiredness etc.

[Anonynony]

Listen, my doc said if you're used to say maing love on the weekend he said to me anyway that I could not takw the Celexa the night before or day before one wants to get with it and the libido issue would go away. But I'ma newbie with the stuff.

One piece of advice I can honestly give to you all is if your drive is low then masturbate more. If you have not been using your sexual muscles they will get weak like any other muscles.

In human beings there are no known limits to times, duration, action, etc, of sex. One should not take no sex lying down ;)

[Va La]

How long did it take to get back to normal for You? I'm trying to get my boyfriend to go off of clexa and onto wellbutron. It has already been 3 weeks with out sex and I'm wondering how much longer i have to wait?

mrs b wrote:

I was put on celexa to help me wind down and get to sleep at night. I was taking 150 mg of well butrin twice a day and was doing great. But when going through my step mom's death I had difficulty sleeping so she changed my meds to taking 40 mg of clexa at night and only one dose of 150 mg welbutrin in the morning. I did not notice a difference in my sleeping but i kept tkaing it. Well five months later I finally realize that the 20unds I have gained in those 5 months and the complete loss of sex drive is due to the celexa. That is when everything started. I am tall and can carry weight. But I have had 5 children and always had a flat stomach. I can work out for a week and my body shape changes. I never try to lose weight...just nches. I go by how I feel in my clothes. But now my clothing size has changed....I feel horrible physically and the weight gain certainly adds to the already low desire for sex. My husband has been asking me for months what has gotten in to me. I never had an answer. Now I know. I put it all together when I told my cousin I was on celea and she told me not to take it...she gained 60 pounds on it! So I am no longer talking it. I am back on the welbutrin twice a day and have to simply not have caffeine after noon time and force myself to work out and try to read till my eyes are so tired I cannot stay awake.
I am thrilled to know what has been worng. I had athyroid test, hormone test done...everything. I could not understand how I gained all that weight. Now I know and I am correcting the situation. When you have had a fit athletic body all of your life even after 5 chilren (4 by c section) it does not make one feel good to look in the mirror and see a body that I do not recognize. My husband is glad that he now knows what had changed in me...and it was a drastic change. cannot wait to have the old me back