Posted by Racer on June 21, 2008, at 12:55:51
In reply to Sexual Obession, posted by Ali Jones on June 21, 2008, at 10:36:22
You're probably right about the "tests" of performance being compulsions. And, of course, there's the history of obsessionality. And here's the kicker: SSRIs such as Luvox, Prozac, and Lexapro have sexual side effects.
The statistics vary about how many people experience sexual side effects from SSRIs. I don't know numbers, but let's say there's at least a significant chance that someone taking SSRIs will experience sexual side effects. For many people, it's as you first discovered -- anorgasmia, or the inability to "finish" the act. For some, it may also include diminished libido, inability to achieve or maintain an erection, etc. Your anxiety about erectile difficulties or ability to orgasm are probably exacerbating the situation, too. That's common, and unfortunate -- I know for me, the sexual side effects of SSRIs are a major issue, because sexuality is important to me. It's a natural and vital part of life for many people.
So, what to do about it? There are a lot of strategies proposed for addressing sexual side effects. These range from medication "holidays" to medications to mitigate the problem. Many doctors recommend Viagra, on the theory that increased blood flow might help -- although I am skeptical about the efficacy. I've never tried that, so I couldn't tell you. Someone else here probably has tried it, and can probably offer some insight about it. I am also skeptical about the medication holiday, since it seems to me that the longish half-life of many of these drugs would suggest the sexual side effects would continue through the holiday. Adding Wellbutrin to an SSRI is another option. An old anti-histamine called cyproheptidine will temporarily block the action of SSRIs, and is effective for some people. I have used cyproheptidine, and found it quite effective for me. It lasts about four hours or so, and does make me fall asleep after having my fun -- but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Honestly, I know that one thing has helped me more than anything else with the obsessive concern about the sexual side effects I've experienced when on SSRIs: information. Once I understood that the inability to achieve orgasm was a side effect of the medication, and that it could be countered by another medication, I was able to relax. While it's not a great feeling to have to take a pill in order to enjoy sex, it was easier for me once I understood the problem. So, educating yourself about this sort of issue might help you a bit, and make it easier for you to counter those obsessions.
Here's a starting point for you: http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/
Good luck!
poster:Racer
thread:835768
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080617/msgs/835791.html