SRRIs deactivated my sexuality permanently?

[Cyanoide]

I'm a 33 year old male.

It's now 3 years since I've last taken SSRIs (escitalopram back then. but I have taken a bunch of others too, eg. paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, citalopram etc). When I started taking SSRIs my whole sexuality was wiped away. My sexuality never recovered. It feels like it got deactivated. I can, and do, sometimes masturbate just because I feel relaxed afterwards. But I'm not horny, I don't feel attracted to anyone, and I don't feel like I want a relationship. I can feel some kind of sexual attraction to both men and women (mostly men, but I think I still am bisexual) in theory, but in practice no feelings awake.

This is not normal. This has been caused by some chemical. Even benzos didn't do this kind of damage to me. And I've withdrawed twice from benzos.

Should I have my testosterone levels checked? I am completely assexual right now, and it's 3 years now. Should I prepare for the scernario that SSRIs permantently have messed with my dopamine levels?
The only way to feel sexual desire for me is to take stimulants; amphetamine, methamphetamine or cocaine. As soon as dopamine is released, I feel it again. But when sober, nope, never.

I would really need some advice.

Edit: Important edit! Could I be suffering from Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) ? I didn't even know there was a medical term for this condition: https://rxisk.org/post-ssri-sexual-dysfunction-pssd/

 

[Jabberwocky]

Welcome to my world.

Before you make assumptions ask yourself if you would like to be in a relationship and for what reasons?

I look at myself growing up and I wasn't one really to have girlfriends. I had a few but the long term commitment thing hasn't been for me as I haven't met the right one. Inbetween I have banged a few girls but nothing to brag about.

Since taking SSRI's (5 years) I feel sometimes unsexual, to an extent I can go a week without jacking off. However then it comes back and I go through a high of wanting to root etc.

Maybe it's just who you are?

 

[ZayKayWill]

Well first off SSRIs don't really affect dopamine, they affect serotonin...I'm sure it affects dopamine a little bit but not too much. And if it's been 3 years your levels should have recovered by now. The brain is super resillient.

 

[Cyanoide]

Well first off SSRIs don't really affect dopamine, they affect serotonin...I'm sure it affects dopamine a little bit but not too much. And if it's been 3 years your levels should have recovered by now. The brain is super resillient.

Yes, they primarily effect serotonin, but to my understanding they also cause dopamine depletion. I cannot verify this statement since it's only based on what I have read, but SSRIs may reduce dopamine production. If they do or not is probably not the most important issue here anyway. As you say 3 years should be enough for the brain to recover. However there has been no change.

If I would just feel comfortable with how it is now, that I'm a human without a sexual side, it would be OK. But I don't feel OK, I feel like one side of me is missing completely.

 

[ZayKayWill]

Yes, they primarily effect serotonin, but to my understanding they also cause dopamine depletion. I cannot verify this statement since it's only based on what I have read, but SSRIs may reduce dopamine production. If they do or not is probably not the most important issue here anyway. As you say 3 years should be enough for the brain to recover. However there has been no change.

If I would just feel comfortable with how it is now, that I'm a human without a sexual side, it would be OK. But I don't feel OK, I feel like one side of me is missing completely.

Idk. Do you like random hook ups with people? Or are you the kind of person that would rather just do it with someone you care about? If its the latter, then maybe you just haven't found the right person yet. It's not very common but there are guys out there that don't like random hook ups with people.

 

[dopemaster]

It goes away after you stop taking ssris.

I was rx'd them off label and it was like pushing a spaghetti noodle in there.

 

[Cyanoide]

It goes away after you stop taking ssris.

I was rx'd them off label and it was like pushing a spaghetti noodle in there.

But it's 3 years since I've even touched an SSRI.

Edit: Because there's no progress in 3 years, although I've otherwise recovered from them, but the sexual side is still dead.

 

[dopemaster]

Are you taking other medications or drugs?

Oh I just reread your post. If its not drugs or medication it has got to be a mental thing.

I am a bit younger but only a few years and my sex drive well it still works the same but I don't have the same desire unless I act on someone I am attracted to as in I don't get erections chatting up a woman at the bar knowing it will lead to sex but once we start messing around it is business as usual.

You can expect your sex drive to change a lil at 30 and it will never be like in hs where all you think about is sex but you should still have the same drive in actual combat so to speak.

If you haven't had sex in a while maybe you just forgot what it feels like. I get that way if I haven't had sex in a month and I just remind myself how much I really like to fuck. So there isn't the same amount of seeing an attractitve woman and becomings aroused which is cool cuz I was sick of get boners in public cuz I used to chat up every woman that seemed interested.

 

[Cyanoide]

Are you taking other medications or drugs?

Also maybe ballpark your age?

I only take 7.5 mg mirtazapine and 3 mg melatonin for sleep.

I'm still thinking about the testosterone. My brother, who is 6 years older than me, got prescribed testosterone because of low levels. Maybe it needs to be checked. Testosterone also boosts the production of dopamine. But I should definitely NOT have testosterone issues at this age? Then again I'm 100% sure that the root cause were the SSRIs. During these 3 years, I've had good moments and bad moments, I've exercised, lost weight and then gained weight, had sober days and non-sober day, travelled, worked...etc.etc. Still no change.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

Get your testosterone checked, and talk to a doctor about this.

When was the last time you had sex with either a woman or man? Do you go out and meet people or do you prefer to have sex with a partner or someone who you are in a relationship with? Are you very picky or very specific in the past or present when it comes to which types of women and men you are attracted to? Do you masturbate often? When did you first start taking the medications? Did you ever have sex with anyone while on them? Are you depressed, sad, or anxious currently or recently? Do you like or enjoy sex when you have had it? Do you have any aprehensión about sex or get nervous about it? Or have aprehensión about finding someone to have sex with? What sort of sexual things do you fantasize about doing with women and men you are attracted to or have been attracted to in the past or that you are attracted to in porn? Do you ever use any other drugs or supplements? Do you have a history of using other drugs? How is your self confidence? Do you actually want to have sex or a relationship with anyone or does the idea of both make you nervious, or anxious?

These are all things to consider or think about.

You don't sound like you are asexual. I know someone who is asexual and they told me how they have not ever had any sexual attraction to anyone including men and women, and when they dated people when the other person would try to initiate sex they did not feel any sexual attraction or desire to have sex. This person told me how they masturbate and can tell if someone is attractive it, but that masturbation is basically just a stress relief for them, and they don't fantasize about people, watch porn, read dirty stories, etc.

I am bisexual as well and what you described how you will at times be more into one sex/gender over the other is normal if you are bisexual.

 

[pofacedhoe]

you're still on mirtazepine

have you been free from any mood drugs at any point in the last 3 years or were you swtiched?