Sexual Sides Effects of SSRIs – How to Deal with *Some* of them
By: Alyssa Morterud
Sexual Sides Effects of SSRIs
SSRIs are a “class of drugs that are typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and other psychological conditions.” (google) With the diagnoses of major depressive order and anxiety disorders going up over the past year, a lot of individuals, myself included, have looked to SSRIs to help them heal. While the effects of SSRIs can be great for our mental health, they do have the potential to cause disheartening side effects for some, myself included. Sexual side effects of SSRIs include low libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, or blocked orgasm. I myself have experienced a slight decrease in libido and a drastic increase in blocked orgasms after taking an SSRI. For me it’s a bit of an ironic side effect, considering I regularly use orgasms as a method to deal with the stress of having a psychological condition! My intent in writing this post is to educate any SSRI users or partners of users on how to deal with the side effects of SSRIs because I know it’s not always easy. For the purpose of this article, I will be using the gender-binary terms male and female in order to medically differentiate between side effects experienced by male and female users who take SSRIs. It’s important to remember that antidepressants impact everyone differently and can impact your sexual function regardless of your identity, be mindful of others’ experiences!
How to Deal with Low Libido due to Antidepressants
The first thing to remember is to be easy on yourself or your partner(s) who are on SSRIs as a part of mental health treatment, as the whole process can really take a toll on someone. More than this, if you experience low libido due to antidepressants remember that it’s not your fault and that the drug is simply altering how your brain functions which in turn impacts bodily processes. SSRIs have the power to “blunt sexual desire by reducing the capacity of dopamine and norepinephrine, or excitatory pathways, to be activated.” (huffpost) Males are more likely to experience a decrease in libido, but it’s fairly common in females too. Experts say that one of the best things to do is to “wait it out…if you give the medication a little bit of time, in many cases, the dysfunction will improve.” (huffpost) However, this isn’t always a productive solution and may not be very comforting. Another suggestion for dealing with low libido due to antidepressants is couples therapy!
When it comes to dealing with low libido in the context of a relationship sex therapist Vanessa Marin suggests “joint couples or sex therapy sessions (separate from the person with depression’s personal therapy) so you can feel like you’re both being heard, and so you can work together as a team on your sex life.” (huffpost) It’s important to make space for each other’s experiences and understand that it’s challenging to balance differing sex drives in a relationship. By talking about your experience with your partner(s) in a safe space with a licensed sex therapist you may be able to explore fantasies or desires that may ignite a newfound sex drive within yourself. The most important thing is that you learn how to cope with any SSRI side effects with the help of a licensed professional because they are there to help you.
How to Deal with Difficulty Achieving Orgasm due to Antidepressants
Another issue faced by SSRI users is the difficulty to achieve orgasm. For me, this is where my experience with antidepressants comes in! I was on an SSRI for less than a month before I began to have difficulty reaching orgasm- an experience that was fairly new to me. Initially, I found myself frustrated, I felt like I couldn’t enjoy sex or masturbation as much as I had before. I’m going to share with you one of the things that worked for me, but keep in mind that everyone’s experience is different and I am speaking from personal experience.
Enter: Sex toys!!
I purchased three new toys in the span of a week. While I was still having a lot of difficulty reaching an orgasm, I did get to play with a lot of new sensations and was able to satisfy myself in a way that wasn’t dependent on a vaginal orgasm. Sex toys can be a great way to explore all of the sensations your body can feel. Moreover, there are toys specifically designed with increased stimulation in mind; you may have an easier time climaxing because the technology can produce more intense sensations! Eventually, I found a vibrator that complimented my body perfectly and it took a lot of trial and error but I was eventually able to break through my SSRI-induced barrier and reach orgasm. Ultimately, what I hope you take away from my experience is that SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction does not mean the end of a good sex life, rather it just means you might need to explore your sexuality and your body a bit more to find what works for you!
If you are dealing with low libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, or blocked orgasm, Respark is here to listen and help. Our trained sex therapist can help you overcome and explore new ways to deal with the sexual side effects of SSRIs. Contact us today!