Buspirone for Sexual Dysfunction, SSRI Induced User Reviews

• Kat
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 17, 2019

"I got put on buspirone for libido problems and my libido came back like it was in my teenage years within a few days of taking 15 mg daily. I didn't know curing sexual dysfunction was a side effect. Made me feel human again, my libido had been dead for 4.5 years due to extreme domestic abuse. Talk about feeling alive again."

• Jay
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2019

"Listen up, fellas. I have GAD and panic attacks. My doctor gave me Lexapro and I was on it for 5 days. NEVER AGAIN! Although Lexapro really helps relieve symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks, your sex drive tanks and you can't have an orgasm. So, I had to choose between side effects and keeping my sanity. I chose keeping my sanity, obviously. I'll talk to my doctor and some friends, and they were all recommending buspirone. I started 5mg 3x a day. I noticed it also helped with general anxiety symptoms, along with helping me get more sleep during the night. My sex drive not only came back but it was better than before, and I have nothing but good things to say about buspar because it helps with my anxiety and my sex life is amazingly powerful. Whoever invented the stuff deserves to be a billionaire."

• Chance
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2020

"I was on Lexapro for about 6 months for anxiety!! It basically brought my sex life to an end. Difficulty maintaining an erection and premature ejaculation. Been on buspirone for over a month and my sex life is better than ever!! No more premature ejaculation and my erection is harder and better than ever!! I’m 45 years old and I feel 20 again!!"

• Perso...
• July 8, 2017

"Wow. This drug really restored my ability to have an orgasm. I have been complaining about Lexapro destroying my sex drive to my doctor since I started Lexapro. It was getting to the point where I had to choose between a sex life and my sanity. Unfortunately, my doctor didn't do anything about it. I was the one who had to ask if I could take Buspirone, after internet research. Lexapro reduced my social and generalized anxiety by, I would say, 80%. Buspirone restored my ability to have an orgasm, and also seems to be reducing my anxiety even further. I know everyone reacts differently to these medications, but if you are having these issues, I would give this a try."

• Bill
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2021

"I am 72, taken SSRIs for several years. Libido disappeared. Recently started taking buspar. After 3 weeks, things started happening. Now I am back in action, not every night but hey, I am not 18 either, and it helps with anxiety."

• talva...
• April 19, 2010

BuSpar (buspirone) "I have taken many antidepressants and a lot of them took away my desire for sex. I did not know that this medicine could help. I did not get this medicine for this reason. I also take Lexapro for bipolar and depression...so I think it could be worth a try to see if this medicine helps. I took clonazepam for years and my doctor wanted to try something new with this medicine.."

• abeli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2021

"So I tried Lexapro last year for 3 months or so and it completely got rid of my sex drive and ability to orgasm. It took the edge off my anxiety but the effects weren't THAT mind-blowing, it wasn't worth the side effects. Recently, my anxiety started flaring up pretty bad, so I talked to my doctor who suggested I try Buspar. I haven't been on it long enough to really know if it's going to help the anxiety because it comes and goes, but I can say after a week that it DOES increase libido. I noticed I had the desire nightly (usually it's 1-2 times a week) so I looked it up and found this forum of similar accounts! I'm like, what if this is the answer to my problems... it helps with anxiety AND will help me match my husband's drive haha. I'm a believer!"

• markr...
• August 13, 2010

"Used this medication to reverse the sexual side effects of MANY different SSRIs including Paxil, Lexapro, and Prozac. Worked great! I highly recommend this drug to anyone looking for a light anxiety medicine that works against sexual side effects."

• RWJ
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2017

"I have OCD-induced anxiety and depression, for which I was taking the SSRI Luvox. Luvox caused me sexual dysfunction (difficulty reaching orgasm and delayed ejaculation), so my psychiatrist prescribed 5mg of buspirone to take 3 times a day. This medication works well to boost desire and makes the orgasms feel good. I have since stopped taking Luvox, and now rely solely on buspirone for my anxiety. This medication generally boosts my mood. That said, I am surprised by the number of people who are prescribed this medication 'as needed.' This is not a benzodiazepine, and in order to feel the anxiolytic effects, it is necessary to take buspirone 2-3 times a day for at least two weeks."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2011

"I had been on Escitalopram for the last 5 years due to anxiety and occasional panic attacks. But like other SSRIs, it had a negative impact on sexual function and weight gain. I tapered off my Escitalopram slowly and started taking buspirone in low doses. It helped me greatly both with sexual function and anxiety. It gave me confidence and relief."

• Bama
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2020

"Only 5 mg a day for 7 days, and I noticed an elevated libido. It was definitely not a placebo effect, since I had no idea that that was one of the effects of buspirone. Actually, I searched for it because I felt an urge for sex again for 'no reason.'"

• MrYou...
• June 30, 2015

"Started taking Buspirone for anxiety. I am on Effexor XR. The Effexor made achieving an orgasm impossible. It was horrible. However, I couldn't stop because it was helping with my depression. Buspirone has given me back my sex life. My libido still isn't what it used to be. It is still somewhat difficult for me to remain erect for long periods of time. However, I can have an orgasm. Thank the gods."

• John
• October 8, 2019

"So, after 10 years of having difficulty in my sex life keeping an erection, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, mania, panic attacks, and insomnia, I was prescribed Buspar, and after just a few days, this is what it has helped my sex life back to how it was in my teens. I’d even say that it has increased and surpassed my functionality. Another thing I noticed immediately was that my dreams were back. The dose that I started with was 10 mg, 2 times per day, but I noticed my panic attacks coming back midday and was bumped up to 3 times a day. I am still taking them to this day. Personal experience shows that tricyclic antidepressants weren't good for me. Over the span of 20 years and multiple diagnoses, I have come to the realization that buspirone is enough on its own to live a functional life, but with the addition of Xanax or Klonopin, I sleep much longer than just the 5 hours I do with Buspar alone."

• NOMOR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2018

"I had a horrible experience when I tried to get off of mirtazapine. After a really bad withdrawal, I had to get back on it but still had bad anxiety and much difficulty with sexual dysfunction. After finding out about this drug on the internet, I got my doctor to give me a prescription of 20 mg, 10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. For the first month, it didn't do much, but my anxiety was a little better. By the second month, it was helping quite a bit with the anxiety but not so much for sex. Then, when I realized how short the half-life was, I started taking it about an hour before sex and WOW! I now take 20 mg about an hour before and have been having incredible orgasms. I also take one velvet bean capsule just before. I am so thankful that this medication has helped with anxiety and given me back my sex life!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2016

"I take Viibryd which is designed to reduce side effects. I started taking it so I could have a sex life again. Prozac removed all sexual desire but since the half life is shorter on Viibryd, you can get turned on once it tapers off. Still, it was difficult to get in the mood, so I've avoided dating altogether. I started taking Buspirone 3 days ago for my anxiety and it has stopped the libido problem altogether! I had no idea this helped. Great news, not to mention it has kept me calm."

• rjasonm
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2017

"I have severe OCD. I wasn't diagnosed until I was about 19 or 20, at which point they immediately started shoving antidepressants down my throat. They caused immediate ED, so I quit taking them. Well, for the most part, it's never come back. Pills don't work, pumps don't work, I've gone to therapy and everything else under the sun to try and fix the problem with no luck. I take doctor-monitored testosterone injections, so my levels are good, yet not only do I still have ED, but no sex drive, and now I can't even feel it when I have an orgasm anymore. I took buspirone hoping to help this, and the results were an epic failure. A complete waste of money. I'm 45 and have basically given up on love and happiness."

• Cloutz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2020

"Finally, some relief. I've had good luck with 20 mg of fluoxetine for a few years, but my only complaint is that it completely zaps my sex drive. I tried Wellbutrin, but I didn't have stellar results, and it was too activating. 10 mg of buspirone has been very helpful in increasing libido for me."

• comet
• July 27, 2015

"I experienced difficulty in obtaining orgasm while taking 5 mg of Lexapro. Buspirone did the trick. When I upped my dose of Lexapro to 7.5 mg, I began experiencing trouble reaching orgasm once more. I've let my doctor know, and we're working on a solution. Most likely, I'll up my dose of Buspirone from 10 mg daily to 20 mg."

• MyFir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2021

"Yesterday and today I started Buspirone for the first time for anxiety (5mg twice a day). I'm a female and last night and today I was feeling VERY uncharacteristically aroused. I couldn’t understand why this came on so suddenly. After googling I realized this seems to be common. I know this typically takes a couple weeks to work for anxiety but I definitely thing it did the other thing… Only other side effect was a mellowish feeling about 45min after taking the first two doses. The first two I took without food. My 3rd dose I took with food. I can’t say I'm complaining but as a single girl with impulse control issues I can see this being an issue later on."

• Jack...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2020

"I was prescribed Zoloft 50 mg, and it totally shut me down sexually. I tried Wellbutrin, but no luck. My doctor prescribed 15 mg buspirone, and my function was restored. Great success with this combination."

• Bob
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2023

"I was on anxiety meds, and when masturbating, I could not achieve an orgasm. I maintained an erection for a couple of hours, but no matter what I tried… nothing. Talk about being in a constant state of arousal. My doc started me on this, and it was magic. I could achieve an orgasm every day, and sometimes twice, and I’m 62. Lifesaver!"

• jsmith
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2023

"I am actually not on an SSRI, but got prescribed Buspar for anxiety in the middle of my divorce. I am pretty much addicted to masturbating after the divorce and this drug is AMAZING. It enhances masturbation and orgasm so much. Not great for my addiction, but I hope to have real sex again someday. Buspar is a miracle drug for libido and orgasm."

• INFJL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

"I took Buspar several years ago to help with severe anxiety I had. I can’t recall how helpful it was overall, but it did make me feel calmer for a reasonable amount of time after taking each pill (approx. an hour or two). It mostly made me drowsy and increased my libido. Fast forward today, I’ve finally found the SSRI that works better than any medicine I’ve ever taken for depression, Prozac. After some internet research, I’ve learned that Buspar can help with sexual side effects caused by SSRIs. I’m hoping it’ll help restore some of my sexual desire and sensitivity. From my past experience with it, I assume it should help. I’ll see."

• Techg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

"I didn't know that increased sexual arousal was a side affect of this medicine until I noticed my libido shot up through the roof. I am on an antidepressant and my sexual drive was pretty in the toilet. I tried wellbutrinin, but had to stop due to dizziness and shaking. This stuff works great for my anxiety and libido. I'm trying to find a dose that works and doesn't make me too sleepy. I think 15 mg once or twice a day is probably the sweet spot."

• Wrighmr
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 15, 2021

"I have been on Buspirone 15mg for over 5 years. I am also taking Forfivo XL. My sex life is over. My libido is not the issue. I can go. The problem is, I can not ever ever finish. It sucks on my side. No orgasm for me. It makes you just not want to have sex anymore."