21 replies to this topic

[navywife43]

My husband does not understand that Cymbalta causes you to have NO sex drive!! He is constantly telling me that he doesn't feel wanted by me anymore. I have tried to explain to him that it is not that but it is the Cymbalta that I took for 10+ years!!! I do have my times when I am "on fire" and then the rest of the month it just doesn't appeal to me. Not sure what to do anymore!! I am 8 months off Cymbalta and now take Zoloft. Wondering if I will ever have a normal sex drive again. :-(

 

[thismoment]

Hi NW43

 

I totally understand. If you can get your dopamine levels up somehow, it might be possible to stimulate the orgasm=dopamine=orgasm=dopamine cycle.

[FiveNotions]

Well, Zoloft is an ssri, acts on serotonin...and I've seen some articles and online comments from users to the effect that it's worse for the libido than the other ssri's....I even saw one article saying that cymbalta has the least effect on libido....(hahahahaha) .....wellbutrin, which isn't an ssri, acts on dopamine...so is supposed to be the best antidepressant for libido....problem is, wellbutrin doesn't work for serotonin deficient depression, or for all the pain related issues that cymbalta is prescribed for....

What a total mess all this makes of our lives.....

[gail]

Hi NW43

 

I totally understand. If you can get your dopamine levels up somehow, it might be possible to stimulate the orgasm=dopamine=orgasm=dopamine cycle.

Thismoment, I hear that orgasm boosts the dopamine, from what I have read. Right?

 

The question is, what is the duration of that boosting? a few hours?

[xman]

I have all too much knowledge on a personal level and female perspective.

 

 the cause of your lack of feeling in this area is absolutely related to the SSRIs and SSNRIs. How do you get your husband to understand...that is a very difficult challenge. Perhaps if he could read some of the research data or even some of our posts. Pre-SSRIs (and their drug relatives) I felt very passionate towards my other half and it was taken away from me by these drugs. It has not returned. But there is always hope...

[fishinghat]

xman - How long have you been off the Cymbalta?

[xman]

A little over 2 months...

[TryinginFL]

Be patient, Xman!  It will come back!

[clearglass]

Xman, It does come back.

[xman]

Now i am hopeful with your feedback!

[equuswoman]

Hope is a wonderful thing as is love, sex and the big "O"....just saying♥

[Wagtail]

Hope is a wonderful thing as is love, sex and the big "O"....just saying♥

So true Equuswoman , THE BIG O .... love Roy ORBINSON & his music !!!! Ha ha just joking ... Love the other BIG O as well ..:-)

[thismoment]

HARRY:  "I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spent the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your live with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

 

The orgasm scene in When Harry Met Sally was filmed at Katz's Deli on New York's E. Houston Street. The table where the scene was shot now has a plaque on it that reads, "Where Harry met Sally. . . hope you have what she had!"

 

When Harry Met Sally

1989

Writer- Nora Ephron

Director- Rob Reiner

Stars- Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan

 

Just be patient and let it happen without the planning part of your brain taking charge- too much thinking and planning can turn an 'O' into an 'Aw'. Making love is more about being than doing!

[equuswoman]

YES indeed it IS!

[Xanazul]

Navywife43, Zoloft is as bad for sex drive and orgasm as Cymbalta, it is the effect on serotonin that causes anorgasmia and lowers the libido.
Welbutrin does not affect sex functions because it increases dopaminergic synapses function. These synapses are the ones used by brain circuits involved in the processing of all kind of pleasurable feelings.
Xman IT WILL come back

[Carleeta]

I hadn't experienced any of bad sequel effects from cymbalta or other antidepressants. .Therefore I'm no help to you Xman in this area..
Although, I was stuck still using the old 'I've got a headache and don't feel well' truth!

[xman]

Thanks to all for feedback.

[thismoment]

Xman

It's still early in your withdrawal, so no need to worry. Think about other things; work to organize other aspects of your life- put things in order, and intimate relations will blossom from that stable foundation.

You are progressing well.

[Neesee]

My husband has been on 120 mg for a couple years for arthritis. We are both in our 40s. I never understood his lack of sex drive until I had to start taking it. I wish you the very best.

[FiveNotions]

Neesee, any chance he'd consider getting off it? Fishinghat and some of the other guys who post / have posted here all report sexual side effects. Fishinghat's are permanent.

[brzghoff]

 

typically, cymbalta and other SSRI/SNRIs destroy the ultimate "benefit" of sex. it has a numbing component. as a result, interest in sex can go down as well. withdrawal impacts the actual "drive" but the"benefit" improves. however, everyone's mileage may vary. so either way, it really sucks. i m hoping things improve all the way around. 

[Carleeta]

Neesee, you and your husband are both taking Cymbalta?