Is the sexual dysfunction side effect of antidepressants an intentional...

[gurpleflip]

...way to eliminate bad genes? Last night I woke up at about 4 AM distressed, anxious, and unable to stay still. I have been taking lexapro, an SSRI antidepressant for 4 days, but I have been worried about the sexual dysfunction side effect it has. I tried to masturbate but couldn't maintain an erection and I got so worried I decided to quit taking the antidepressant. I really care about my sexual life, and I won't sacrifice it.

Then I thought about something interesting but scary at the same time. What if the drug companies / the government is engineering antidepressants to have an intentional side effect of causing sexual dysfunction so that those who are depressed cannot reproduce as effectively, thereby preventing their depressant genes from entering the population? Maybe we are entering the age of being controlled by the drugs we take?

[feelingbuzzy]

#1 Patients shouldn't just quit the SSRI -- taper yourself off slowly. You, though, have been on it a short enough time, so might get away with no withdrawl symptoms.

#2 Have you missed the news lately? Hear about all the residual psychotropics, anticonvulsants and antidepressants, entering via human urine & sanitation system into our urban water supply? Don't start thinking some paranoid conspiracy theory -- it's just an untoward, unregulated reality that we've been able to brush under the rug for decades (until now)

#3 I'm sorry, but that is the lamest theory I have ever heard. Almost as good as Rev Wright's HIV conspiracy theory.

[maleficent]

The reason some people have a side effect of not feeling as sexual as they normally do is because the medication gives a similar effect to the feeling U get after an orgasm. So, your body does not always feel the need to have an orgasm and the urge to have sex is lower than normal. Hope this helps!

[RichB.]

Antidepressants often cause unpleasant side effects. Many of these side effects last only a few weeks and then go away on their own. Even if a side effect doesn't go away, you can learn ways to manage it. Don't stop taking your antidepressant or reduce the dosage without first talking to your doctor or mental health provider. Suddenly stopping can cause withdrawal-like health problems. Always tell your health care provider about your side effects, because some can be serious. And as far as the "conspiracy" I would seriously recommend getting back on your medication and letting your body acclimate. I hope this helps and good luck. RB

[tfitz1017]

To Maleficent: An interesting theory and a new one on me. Seems a bit of a stretch though!

[tfitz1017]

RichB said it well. The drug companies aren't that smart, anyway!
Sexual arousal is a complex thing and these drugs we take for depression are really poorly understood. Ask your doctor if you can switch to something that has less of an effect on the old libido. There is even one that can cause such a long lasting erection that some unfortunate few have had to have it dealt with surgically! I won't name the drug though so you will have to ask your doctor.-Fitz