The New Intimacy

Sex Drive and Anxiety Medication

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Contributor: Envy Envy
Well I have an interesting question for those who take anxiety medication.

I have recently started taking Xanax for my panic attacks. I don't get them every day, more like one or two every couple of months. So it's not chronic, but I can get them so bad I can't sleep for a day or two or three. I had one recently and finally caved in and went to see the doctor where I was prescribed .25 mg of generic for Xanax. Let me tell you, if felt GREAT to finally get rid of the panic feeling and SLEEP.

Sadly though, my panic attack has already weakened my system and I ended up catching a cold. Bummer. :/

Anyway, my question is as follows:

I take the pills only when I have an attack, which is as i said, hardly often at all, so it's not a daily dose I take at all. Will this affect my sex drive in any way by taking this medication? I mean on average or overall? Has anyone been taking anxiety medication and had any changes in sex drive for better or for worse? Will it alter my system as I take it over time? Or will I be fine since I take it on an 'as needed' basis?

Thanks for any input you guys can contribute. And it feels good to be in control again.
01/06/2011
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Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
Well I have an interesting question for those who take anxiety medication.

I have recently started taking Xanax for my panic attacks. I don't get them every day, more like one or two every couple of months. So it's not chronic, but I ... more
I take 3 Xanax a day, plus a sleep drug for 'moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder'. I can honestly say that the Xanax has never had an ill effect, or any effect for that matter, on my sex drive. In fact, I find myself orgasming more easily on it because I'm a little more relaxed and not worrying about 18 other things while I'm trying to unwind and enjoy myself. I had issues orgasming when I was on Paxil, so because of that and other side effects, I discontinued that (under physician supervision).

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!
01/06/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Xanax is in the same class of drugs as Valium and is typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Changes in sexual desire are listed as a potential side effect, but are considered uncommon. Since you are taking the medication so intermittently, I don't think you should have any issues, especially not long term. I think that potentially if you did experience such a reaction, it would be limited in duration and resolve as the medication was cleared from your system.
01/06/2011
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
Xanax is in the same class of drugs as Valium and is typically used to treat anxiety disorders. Changes in sexual desire are listed as a potential side effect, but are considered uncommon. Since you are taking the medication so intermittently, I ... more
Exactly what Kindred said. If you were taking it regularly, it might be an issue (maybe. Again, loss of sex libido isn't a common Xanax side effect, but it does happen.) But since you just take it once in awhile, it shouldn't have an effect. If you find it causing problems, you can ask your doctor to change you to another anti-anxiety medication though.
01/06/2011
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
i was on an as needed one on top of my Effexor for a while and I never had a problem.
01/06/2011
Contributor: gone77 gone77
For about two years now, I've taken 20mgs of Citalopram (generic for Celexa) every day for my anxiety, depression and panic attacks. My sex drive has been just fine. My psych just upped it to 40mgs this past Monday because my panic attacks have gotten more frequent, so I have to wait and see if it'll have any effect on my sex drive.

I know a lowered or nonexistent sex drive is common with these meds, but I found that's usually with people who take them daily.
01/06/2011
Contributor: Taylor Taylor
I take xanax for panic attacks too and probably take it about once a week. I haven't noticed any libido or sexual issues while on it.

When I was on anti-depressants though that was a different story...
01/06/2011
Contributor: Envy Envy
Thanks for the feedback you guys. I was worried because I tried Paxil before, it messed up everything, and I said never again. It took a LOT of willpower to go on these anxiety meds, thinking I'd have the same issues, but I'm having a completely different experience with them than I did with Paxil, and I'm very happy I have them to help me.

The only crappy part is the anxiety lowered my immune system a bit and I ended up getting a cold now, go figure, lol.

Thanks again guys!
01/07/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Envy
Thanks for the feedback you guys. I was worried because I tried Paxil before, it messed up everything, and I said never again. It took a LOT of willpower to go on these anxiety meds, thinking I'd have the same issues, but I'm having a ... more
Paxil is an SSRI and a totally different class of drug. SSRIs very commonly cause decreased libido and even impotence in men. Often these side effects require trying new drugs because they can be as debilitating as the original problem.

I'm so glad to hear you are having a better experience with Xanax.

But also remember, if you do think you are experiencing an adverse reaction, talk to your doctor. There are a lot of drug choices available and just because one drug causes a problem does not mean another drug, even in the same class, will.
01/07/2011
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
I'm glad I found this thread. My girlfriend just recently got back on a generic of Celexa for her anxiety. She is MUCH happier, has little to no mood swings, is more even-tempered... just in general she is MUCH MUCH HAPPIER. She takes one a day, it's a very low dose, I think it's 20mg.

Anyway, since she takes it daily, it has GREATLY affected her libido. She is rarely turned on(which in the past was something that we dealt with because her sex drive is naturally way lower than mine) with this medication, and when she is, she can climax climax.... and no resolve. No orgasm. Everything feels great, but she just can't achieve orgasm and it's very frustrating for the both of us. She feels bad and ends up not wanting me to touch her because 'what's the point?' she will say. Or she just doesn't want to do anything that could turn her on because she won't be able to orgasm.

Anything we can do about this?
04/17/2012
Contributor: bettle590 bettle590
I take citalopram, and before adding wellbutrin it lowered my energy level in every aspect of my life. sleeping too much, weight gain, and lowered libido. But at the time I was so glad to be relieved of anxiety that I didn't care.
08/20/2012