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Do Antidepressants Cause Low Sex Drive?
Question: I have been on the antidepressant Effexor for nearly 14 years with great results. Noticed a decline in my Lobito recently and have been seeking a better medication. Went on Wellbutrin for a short time with very negative side effects but now have been prescribed Pristiq by my doctor. My question is whether a switch to Pristiq will show a marked help with my sex drive enough to out way the other possible side effects? I am tired of this roller coaster ride I have been on and are reading very discouraging things about Pristiq and weight gain. I am 53 and on the tail end of menopause.
Brief Answer:
Try aripiprazole
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Most of antidepressants and antipsychotics including pristiq (quetiapine) lead to decrease in libido. You did not mention the dose of pristiq you are taking, but it could also decrease libido. I would prefer to give you dopamine agonist aripiprazole. At low dose, it would act like antidepressant as well as antipsychotic. You can try this. It does not effect on sex drive much like other antipsychotic and does not have any major side effects. Rest, you can discuss with your psychiatrist
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Try aripiprazole
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Most of antidepressants and antipsychotics including pristiq (quetiapine) lead to decrease in libido. You did not mention the dose of pristiq you are taking, but it could also decrease libido. I would prefer to give you dopamine agonist aripiprazole. At low dose, it would act like antidepressant as well as antipsychotic. You can try this. It does not effect on sex drive much like other antipsychotic and does not have any major side effects. Rest, you can discuss with your psychiatrist
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do not see a psychiatrist for my depression and never have. The source of my depression has always been explained to me as a chemical imbalance so my family doctors have managed it effectively so far. The turn antipsychotic is somewhat troubling since I am unsure of how it may affect me since Effexor was excellent at controlling my depression but had the sexual side effects. Does this line of thinking make any since? The Wellbutrin I tried was awful with negative side effects and I don't want to go through a similar experience. Do you have an opinion on this line of thinking? Thanks
Brief Answer:
You can try des-venlafaxine
Detailed Answer:
Hi
After menopause, due to hormonal changes, depressive symptoms are very common. In that case, you can either go for hormone therapy or antidepressant. There is no need to take any antipsychotic.
As i have already told you that most of antidepressants have sexual side effects including effexor and initial few days, most of antidepressants have side effects in form of anxiety. In post menopausal female, i usually prefer des-venlafaxine as an antidepressant. It has all benefit of venlafaxine, but does not have any major side effect. You can take it without any risk.
In case, you need any more help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
You can try des-venlafaxine
Detailed Answer:
Hi
After menopause, due to hormonal changes, depressive symptoms are very common. In that case, you can either go for hormone therapy or antidepressant. There is no need to take any antipsychotic.
As i have already told you that most of antidepressants have sexual side effects including effexor and initial few days, most of antidepressants have side effects in form of anxiety. In post menopausal female, i usually prefer des-venlafaxine as an antidepressant. It has all benefit of venlafaxine, but does not have any major side effect. You can take it without any risk.
In case, you need any more help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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