Question posted by DeanBNE on 15 Jan 2017
Last updated on 22 July 2022 by SUZ1900
I'm wondering what peoples' dose is on Effexor and how it affects you sex drive.
I ask as I'm reading some, but not many, reports of (men's ?) sexual drive returning to a more normal state at doses of 225 mgs and above but can't find any study to back this up.
Thank you
I may have to request a dosage that high. I’m on 150 mg and cannot climax at all. My husband is very patient but it is driving me crazy. We always had a great sex life & now I feel asexual. I hate it but everything else about Effexor is great. I’m pushing 70 and he’s 80 but age is not the issue. Sex was fine before I needed Effexor. Tried Wellbutrin but it didn’t help. I have PTSD. Is there another med that can counteract the sexual dysfunction? I hate to try a higher dose and then have to come off it because it didn’t work. Ugh! Argh! I’m not dead yet!
I am a male 55 years old. I started on Effexor xr 37.5mg for depression about a month ago and noticed a slight decrease in sex drive and it was extremely hard to orgasm. In two more weeks the Doc upped my dose to 75mg and gradually over the next few days my sex drive increased. Now after 3 weeks on the 75mg my sex drive has surpassed my normal non-drugged sex drive. Orgasms still take a very long time to achieve, but the intensity has increased significantly. There are other side effects, but none outweigh the benefit for me as the Effexor has my mind and mood in a good place again.
Yes, it did increase my interest in sex dramaticaly. I am 78 year old male and was taking 37.5mg. I felt like I was 30 but it became too much and interfered with my daily life. I gradually tapered off without many withdrawal symptoms. I have not lost my sex drive but it's normal now. Wish my wife was still alive.
@Elsamito and Jamylah.
Me too! I take 225mg/day because I'm treatment resistant and have to take the maximum dosage of my medications.
I love this side effect... before I started venlafaxine I was severely depressed with an associated anxiety disorder... I couldn't be bothered with sex.
Regards,
I currently have been on Effexor for three months. The dosage I am on is 37.5 milligrams. My sex drive has increased. Also, I handle stress better and concentrate more. I was on lexapro. After not even a month it stopped working. Has anyone else have this experience with Effexor?
I am a 30 year old female on 150mg xr. I have no sexual desire anymore. I also don't have any desire to lay next to my husband or show any affection to anyone other than my four year old son. I was on Paxil which was so sedating and took away my libido then I went to Wellbutrin and Prozac which gave back my sex drive then switched to Effexor which has been the best medication minus no sex drive. But I don't care that I have no urge. I also don't care that it bothers my husband. I consider this to be a positive of the drug as I used to worry about every little thing my husband said. That being said it might sound that I have no interest in my husband but I do. I just don't care to have sex or even masturbate as I used to do both all the time. Hope that answers your question a little bit
Thank you. That helps me as that us EXACTLY where I am at. Sometimes I feel guilty and I have tried to be better about that aspect but it just gets worse. For instance I almost always get up and go to the couch as I feel the same way you do. I am 57 years old. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with stage IIIB breast cancer in my left breast and stage I my right. I had bilateral mastectomies, extensive chemo and 6weeks of radiation. I have been free of the breast cancer 10 years this year. I figured that might be an issue as it does change your life... But my husband and I were married in 2011 so he was well aware and we married. We had lived together about 10 years prior to meeting up again in 2009. We dated ect. for 2 years then we were married. I have really tried to figure out what my problem with sexuality and reading your post has REALLY, REALLY helped me today. I do feel and respond exactly as you have described. I would like to friend you so we could have some private conversations regarding this issue if you are willing. I would be very grateful if we could chat.
I must be lucky. I'm on 185mg of Effexor and it actually gave me back the libido I had lost because of the depression.
effexor, depression, major depressive disorder, dosage, sex, sex drive, libido, sexual drive
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