Prozac and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Pri...
• May 16, 2010

For Depression "My experience, as a man, on Prozac for 10 years: Overall, it seems to work the best in relieving me of life-threatening depression. In addition, it has the fewest side effects among all the other medications with these two very significant exceptions: 1) WHILE TAKING: It nearly removes your libido 100%, which can ruin most relationships. 2) If you STOP TAKING Prozac, you'll experience for the next 2 weeks the strange sensation of electric currents zipping inside your head with every change in thought or visual focus you make. If you stay on Prozac, it's probably best to be single. Instead, make new and real friendships, which Prozac allows you the freedom to do. Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• March 22, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been taking Prozac for almost 2 years for my OCD and depression. The medicine has done wonders for my disability but has done nothing good for my relationship with my boyfriend. Prozac has taken my sex drive completely away. We try everything to bring it back, but nothing works. I had no choice but to take myself off the medicine."

• Crv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2022

For Panic Disorder "Prozac is a lifesaver. But it didn’t feel like that at first. The medication can actually increase anxiety in some people, and thankfully, I had some Klonopin to soothe the transition. It took me four full weeks before I actually felt a change. No panic or excessive thoughts. It’s a great feeling. A sexual issue is delayed orgasm, but I don’t consider that a negative. No other side effect to speak of."

• Nab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I tried 5 mg of Prozac for PMDD after reading peer-reviewed data and reviews. I started when my luteal phase started. I felt nauseous and drowsy after about day 3. Weird effect on my sleep: I was sleeping, but it wasn’t restful. My mood after about day 6 was noticeably more stable, but nausea and drowsiness still disrupted my day. The 48 hours before my period starts are usually the worst as far as my mood and ability to function. The Prozac did not seem to help during the most intense part of my PMDD. After my period, I wanted to continue with the Prozac to see if the side effects might ease, but then I realized I had lost my sex drive, sex response, and ability to orgasm completely. I stopped on about day 20. I encountered an entire week of intense migraines and bouts of long crying. I’m on week 3 of not taking Prozac and am so depressed I don’t care about anything. I can barely eat or get out of bed. I can orgasm now again, so that’s a plus. Bottom line: not worth it for me."

• Nab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2022

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I tried 5 mg of Prozac for PMDD after reading peer-reviewed data and reviews. I started when my luteal phase started. I felt nauseous and drowsy after about day 3. Weird effect on my sleep: I was sleeping, but it wasn’t restful. My mood after about day 6 was noticeably more stable, but nausea and drowsiness still disrupted my day. The 48 hours before my period starts are usually the worst as far as my mood and ability to function. The Prozac did not seem to help during the most intense part of my PMDD. After my period, I wanted to continue with the Prozac to see if the side effects might ease, but then I realized I had lost my sex drive, sex response, and ability to orgasm completely. I stopped on about day 20. I encountered an entire week of intense migraines and bouts of long crying. I’m on week 3 of not taking Prozac and am so depressed I don’t care about anything. I can barely eat or get out of bed. I can orgasm now again, so that’s a plus. Bottom line: not worth it for me."

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. Been on Prozac for all of 6 days, and it's already changed me in a lot of ways. Some good, some bad, pretty jarring altogether. Morning after 1st use, had severely suicidal thoughts. Instant loss of appetite and libido. Been an overeater most of my life. However, today was the first day in 6 days that I put food in my mouth. Zero libido all of a sudden, which I thought was great at first. Want to stick with it but really afraid about my libido."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Depression "For years, I struggled with depression unknowingly, since I could remember. Never thought to take any action, though, until a few tragic events happened. Then came the suicidal thoughts and such, so I went to a doctor and got this prescribed to me. Prozac 20mg, I can honestly say I have never felt so good in my life. Haven't had any suicidal thoughts or anxiety or very much depression. The only thing I can say negatively about this medicine is that it did decrease my sex drive and left me feeling quite tired and with a lack of energy. When I first started taking it, it lasted about 2 days. Ever since then, no such problems have occurred, except for the lack of sex drive. Thank you, Prozac, you honestly saved my life."

• Nor...
• January 21, 2015

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been off Prozac for about 4 weeks now...after starting 2 years ago for a terrible depression/sadness/menopause. Wanted to take a holiday to see what would happen. When on Prozac, side effects like decreased sexual drive and slight weight gain, otherwise, it put my menopause symptoms in control. Decreased my hot flashes, helped my sadness, and gave relief for some mild OCD that I have had for years. Now when I am off the medicine, I notice an increase in my OCD behaviors. Not concentrating as well at work. Sexual appetite is still not that great despite a wonderful patient husband (could still just be the menopause). Hot flashes have not really returned, and I do not feel overwhelmingly sad. I will start Prozac tomorrow and see if it helps with OCD."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2011

For Depression "Originally, my doctor prescribed me Klonopin (anti-anxiety medicine), and I took it for a year and started to feel very slow. I had a very blunt expression on my face, and my family started to think I was depressed. I saw another doctor, and he prescribed me Prozac. It has relieved much of my depression and anxiety. I smile more, and I think a bit clearer now. I don't worry all the time, and I actually feel worth something. The first 3-4 weeks you don't see much improvement, but once you hit 2 months, you start to feel a lot better (at least I did). However, there are some sexual side effects, and you can feel drowsy."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve always struggled with social anxiety, some generalized anxiety, and mild to moderate depression. Earlier this year, due to personal circumstances, my mental health took a nosedive. I have always been resistant to taking antidepressants, but I decided to try 10 mg of fluoxetine (I’m sensitive to medication, so I didn’t want to try more than that). I can honestly say most of my anxiety and depression have disappeared, my interest in my hobbies has come back, and my work life and relationship have significantly improved as well. The only negative side effect really is that my sex drive is pretty low, and it does occasionally cause loss of appetite for me. Overall, I’m very thankful for this medication and give it 9/10."

• ilu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "It has helped so much. My OCD used to be horrible and awful to manage. Ever since I've been on Prozac, it’s been so much more manageable. The only side effects I’ve had are a dry mouth, dizziness, and a low sex drive. I’m on 30 mg."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2018

For Depression "This medication has helped me so much with my happiness and mood, it has definitely leveled me out. BUT I am quite disappointed because my sex drive and libido have gone. I hate saying that I had trouble maintaining an erection during sex twice. I did notice and pay attention to my libido going down over time. Completely stopped masturbating. Never had this problem before. I do blame this medication. It’s a shame. 4 days off it, so I will see how it goes and see whether my libido improves. Been on this drug for about 3 months."

• Bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Depression "My nurse practitioner kept insisting I try Prozac along with Olanzapine for my severe bipolar depression because it was the gold standard (supposedly they work well together). So, I ended up taking Prozac all the way up to 60 mg for over 12 weeks (along with Carbamazepine, Olanzapine, and now Saphris), and I only got a partial response to the medicine. It helped get me functioning again, but I wasn't happy. I still didn't enjoy the things I loved doing. For example, I would try listening to music or playing video games, but it wouldn't do anything for me. The euphoria was kind of missing. I know 80 mg is the max dosage, but I shouldn't have to be on the max dosage or go beyond it to get a desired effect. Oh, and I lost my sex drive on Prozac too! Grr!"

• Int...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I lost my sexuality from the first pill, overnight it went from 100% to 0%. Was told it was a common side effect, so I continued using Prozac (called Fontex here in Norway). After a while I didn't want those side effects, so I stopped using. But my loss of libido and ED continued. Now 3-4 years later my problems are still the same, doctors refuse to believe me, but I'm certain I had very high sex drive before my first Prozac/Fontex pill. Now I can't keep my erection more than 5 seconds, and my penis often feels numb. This pill should have been illegal. (Sorry for my poor English)"

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2011

For Depression "I have been on Prozac for only 6 days. I noticed a mild improvement where my depression episodes weren't so severe. The thoughts of suicide are subsiding, but I'm beginning to feel a bit absent-minded. There are times of the day that I feel very tired or sleepy, but I don't feel like crying or overreacting for everything. My doctor said that the level needs to build up in my system. I hope I keep feeling better and the blah feeling improves. Decreased libido? I didn't have much to begin with. I noticed no change."

• San...
• March 26, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "It's a good antidepressant for mild depression and food-related issues. Took it long ago, was not enough by itself, so I needed to combine it with other antidepressants. Sexual effects, sense of nothing really matters, mild happiness, long time, 3 weeks to kick in, and tends to pop out in about 2-3 months."

• Kia...
• May 20, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Prozac mostly for my panic attacks but a little bit for my anxiety and depression as well. I can't say my experience was all bad because I was going through a rough time, and it seemed to make my panic attacks a bit more manageable and less intense, but I think for me the cons outweighed the pros. The first time I started it, I stopped eating for nearly two weeks, which caused me to lose weight. Then the dose was upped from 10 mg to 20 mg, and I stopped eating for another two weeks. The anxiety was pretty bad for the first two weeks as well. After the first couple of weeks, the side effects calmed down to an extent. I still had pretty bad sexual problems, a lot of heartburn, night sweats, and problems sleeping. So while the side effects weren't major, I tried getting off it due to my anxiety seemingly doing better and the side effects. I was nervous to get off, but it seems like I haven't had any odd effects from stopping, so that's good. My anxiety is still low, so for now, I'll stay off."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2010

For Depression "Took Prozac for about four years. It worked in relieving my depression, anger, and anxiety, but left me numb as well. Had almost no 'lows,' but no 'highs' either. I had no side effects other than I now realize a reduced sex drive."

• bam...
• September 3, 2010

For Depression "I started taking Prozac for SAD, seasonal affective disorder, and it worked really well for that. Well, a few years ago my hubby left, and I tried to increase to 40 mg, but the higher dose did not work well with me, so I went back to the 20 mg until about 3 months. Thought I was ready to wean off, the first time I did not wean right and felt awful. Next time I weaned very slowly, which was much better. Unfortunately, I began to have signs of depression again. Called my MD to get a different one, even though Prozac had worked well before. He recommended Zoloft, but after reading the awful side effects from reviewers, I changed my mind and have restarted Prozac. The only side effect I get with Prozac is decreased sex drive, 20 mg works for me!"

• Mot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Prozac did relieve my symptoms of depression fairly quickly (within 2 weeks) upon beginning administration, and noticeable improvement of my overall mood and wellbeing occurred. However, I experienced a significant decrease in sexual desire, and also was completely unable to achieve sexual climax while taking the medication. I then experienced 3 episodes of 'esophagitis' or horrible pains in chest/throat/stomach that felt like a bolus of food trapped in my throat. The pain was so debilitating that I was forced to discontinue use. I would recommend this medication for the treatment of depression, however, the side effects are personally too painful for me."

• Aut...
• February 11, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Well, it’s interesting because I took Prozac over a year ago, and aside from having low libido, it worked very well for me. I stopped taking it and then recently started taking it in December with Wellbutrin, and suddenly had my very first panic attack. I thought I was legit the end of me and went to the ER. I got off of it thinking it had to be Wellbutrin, so I stopped taking it for weeks and then retried Prozac for a few days, then bam, started having nighttime panic attacks. I’ll wake up feeling like I can’t breathe and that I’m dying. I definitely think it works for others, but I have no idea why it can’t work for me anymore. Sadly, I will have the side effects for a while after I stop taking it, and it’s just awful."

• Geo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 17, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Warning! Just be careful. I’ve used Prozac off and on for maybe 30 years. Be aware of sexual side effects of this drug. Total inability to reach orgasm during sex. And no, it wasn’t caused by anything else. I was checked out. Sometimes the inability to climax persists even after you’re off the drug. I’m not the only one to experience this; there’s plenty of information on post-SSRI sexual dysfunction. Oh, and the percentages of sexual problems listed in the package insert are skewed on the low side."

• vol...
• May 14, 2011

For Depression "I took Prozac for 3 months at 10 mg to treat depression from bipolar disorder type I. I felt numb, and I just didn't care about much of anything while taking Prozac. I felt very indifferent toward most things. I also experienced a very low sex drive and difficulty in achieving orgasm."

• Mud...
• August 10, 2011

For Depression "This medication has caused severe sexual side effects. As a 58-year-old active person, I have been on this for two years. Although this did wonders for my panic and depression, it has leveled my libido, and I can't climax."

• Mud...
• August 10, 2011

For Depression "This medication has caused severe sexual side effects. As a 58-year-old active person, I have been on this for two years. Although this did wonders for my panic and depression, it has leveled my libido, and I can't climax."