Permanent sexual dysfunction from antidepressants

[E60M5CSL]

I'm a regular poster on here but wanted to create this profile for anonymity purposes.

I've been on and off antidepressants (various SSRIs and SNRIs) for around 10 years and they numbed my genitals, gave me erectile dysfunction and complete lack of libido.

This has had a devastating effect on my life. I only discovered recently that these symptoms could be permanent, which has been traumatic.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1126987...

[E60M5CSL]

Lots of fellow sufferers, just wanted to warn the PistonHeads community as my GP never informed me that this could happen. Life ruined.

There are a growing number of PSSD sufferers 'coming out' on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pssd_network

There is also a fast-growing Reddit group: https://www.reddit.com/r/PSSD/

There is a support network that I am now volunteering for: https://www.pssdnetwork.org/

I have been interviewed by a major TV channel about this, anonymously, which should go live soon.

There are over 8 million people in the UK alone currently prescribed with antidepressants.

The European Medical Agency have recognised PSSD as a condition but the drugs administration authority in the UK (MHRA) has done nothing, not even an apology, and the NHS has been remarkably silent on this.

I'm a eunuch from here on out.

[Jumpingjackflash]

I do not suffer from this issue but I am moved by your courage to start this post for such a sensitive subject. I hope that this post can help people suffering from this condition. I also hope you telling us your story will make people think twice about taking medication and making medication more transparent.

[MGZTV8]

Likewise it’s not an issue for me either and I’ve been on and off them for a number of years.

I had no idea about this and I thank you for raising it.

[budgie smuggler]

Thanks for the post.

[E60M5CSL]

Thanks all for your kind words, bear in mind some develop PSSD only after stopping antidepressants.

[grumbledoak]

Combined with the recent admission that the "chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression" has never been measured this is going to be yet another scandal.

Hopefully the publicity will wake people from their blind trust of the pharmaceuticals. Seriously, they just patent a new molecule and stick it in people. If it makes more in profit than they pay in fines, it's a product line. That is the industry in two lines.

OP, hoping your side effects resolve themselves.

[anonymous-user]

This is obviously very traumatic for you and for good reason. Have you spoken directly to your GP about this? You seem to have picked up a lot of info online from differing groups but maybe the GP can steer you with some meds etc as you may be just on the cusp. Certainly worth a try and see if it helps.

[E60M5CSL]

pocketspring said:

This is obviously very traumatic for you and for good reason. Have you spoken directly to your GP about this? You seem to have picked up a lot of info online from differing groups but maybe the GP can steer you with some meds etc as you may be just on the cusp. Certainly worth a try and see if it helps.

Thanks, yes it's been brutal on me and my family. I feel like a heterosexual man trapped inside an asexual body. It's hell, like being buried alive, watching everyone else get on with their lives.

I don't even enjoy cars anymore, it's given me emotional numbness as well as sexual numbness. I could drive 200 mph through a village and feel no thrill. My brain is fried.

I've spoken to my GP but they couldn't offer any advice. I'm seeing a neurologist soon to get a biopsy because for the sexual numbness PSSD sufferers are usually testing positive for small fibre neuropathy (SFN).

My plan is to figure out the extent of the damage SSRIs and SNRIs have done and then seek treatment such as nerve regrowth drugs, some are in development.

The MHRA haven't even replied to my emails so I don't expect any of the powers that be to help. On my own in all this.

[E60M5CSL]

grumbledoak said:

Combined with the recent admission that the "chemical imbalance in the brain that causes depression" has never been measured this is going to be yet another scandal.

Hopefully the publicity will wake people from their blind trust of the pharmaceuticals. Seriously, they just patent a new molecule and stick it in people. If it makes more in profit than they pay in fines, it's a product line. That is the industry in two lines.

OP, hoping your side effects resolve themselves.

Yes it's tragic and this was completely avoidable.

Worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5cT-2BLWk0

Thank you.

[Panamax]

E60M5CSL said:

I don't even enjoy cars anymore, it's given me emotional numbness as well as sexual numbness.

Surely that's WHY you got onto anti-depressants in the first place. If you had a vigorous sex life, good emotional connections and were enjoying your hobbies then why did you think you needed the pills?

[anonymous-user]

E60M5CSL said:

Thanks, yes it's been brutal on me and my family. I feel like a heterosexual man trapped inside an asexual body. It's hell, like being buried alive, watching everyone else get on with their lives.

I don't even enjoy cars anymore, it's given me emotional numbness as well as sexual numbness. I could drive 200 mph through a village and feel no thrill. My brain is fried.

I've spoken to my GP but they couldn't offer any advice. I'm seeing a neurologist soon to get a biopsy because for the sexual numbness PSSD sufferers are usually testing positive for small fibre neuropathy (SFN).

My plan is to figure out the extent of the damage SSRIs and SNRIs have done and then seek treatment such as nerve regrowth drugs, some are in development.

The MHRA haven't even replied to my emails so I don't expect any of the powers that be to help. On my own in all this.

You may feel like you're in your own but the groups you found shows that you aren't. It's more the shock of it before it sinks in. A lot of diabetics suffer from nerve damage and take Viagra to help. Maybe try that over a couple of weeks to see how you fare?

[E60M5CSL]

Panamax said:

Surely that's WHY you got onto anti-depressants in the first place. If you had a vigorous sex life, good emotional connections and were enjoying your hobbies then why did you think you needed the pills?

I didn't have a sex life, was extremely lonely and didn't have much money. I had unmet needs. All I needed to do was get fit, eat well and get out of my comfort zone. Instead I chose to numb myself with antidepressants. Good old hindsight.

[E60M5CSL]

pocketspring said:

You may feel like you're in your own but the groups you found shows that you aren't. It's more the shock of it before it sinks in. A lot of diabetics suffer from nerve damage and take Viagra to help. Maybe try that over a couple of weeks to see how you fare?

Thanks. I don't have any erectile issues as such, I just don't get spontaneous erections now or ever wake up with an erection. The bigger issue is the genital numbness and lack of sex drive. Yes I've made quite a few friends already from the groups some of which I've met in person.

[E60M5CSL]

The problem is, what would've been a temporary bad spell being unhappy about my lot, turned into 10 years on and off SSRIs thinking they were helping.

I was 'spellbinded' by the drugs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfThKVNl0Oc

[Legacywr]

How old are you OP?

I’m guessing you’ve tried Viagra?

[E60M5CSL]

Legacywr said:

How old are you OP?

I’m guessing you’ve tried Viagra?

33. No I don't have any issues maintaining an erection, I can get one it's just not as easy but once it's there it's there. The problem I have is genital numbness and lack of libido. And emotional blunting.

[anonymous-user]

E60M5CSL said:

Thanks. I don't have any erectile issues as such, I just don't get spontaneous erections now or ever wake up with an erection. The bigger issue is the genital numbness and lack of sex drive. Yes I've made quite a few friends already from the groups some of which I've met in person.

How old are you? Yeah diabetics have genital numbness as well hence the Viagra. They don't have any sensation so don't get aroused. They pop a pill, get a boner and then pleasure the other half which in turns makes them feel better about things. When was the last time you had sex with the wife? It maybe a viscous circle at the moment and it needs to be broken to help you along.

[Legacywr]

E60M5CSL said:

Legacywr said:

How old are you OP?

I’m guessing you’ve tried Viagra?

33. No I don't have any issues maintaining an erection, I can get one it's just not as easy but once it's there it's there. The problem I have is genital numbness and lack of libido. And emotional blunting.

What was your sex drive like before you started on antidepressants? Are you still taking them?

[E60M5CSL]

pocketspring said:

How old are you? Yeah diabetics have genital numbness as well hence the Viagra. They don't have any sensation so don't get aroused. They pop a pill, get a boner and then pleasure the other half which in turns makes them feel better about things. When was the last time you had sex with the wife? It maybe a viscous circle at the moment and it needs to be broken to help you along.

I've never been in a serious relationship because of my sexual dysfunction let alone got married. That's interesting re diabetics. Maybe I need to get back into dating and have another go.