Fluoxetine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anx...
• November 2, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "When I first started taking 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac) a day for anxiety in July, I was worried about the potential side effects - including weight gain, acne, nausea, etc. I experienced minor side effects that have since gone away over time. I noticed that I've been losing more hair in the shower. My libido was already suffering due to my birth control, and once I started Prozac, it completely diminished my sex drive. Honestly, none of those side effects compare to how amazing Prozac has made me feel. It has worked wonders for my anxiety and my eating disorder. I can't believe that I used to carry all that weight with me every day. I don't know how I ever lived without this. After 8 weeks, I started to notice big changes. I am less anxious about life, am able to live and enjoy my life to the fullest, and I am proud to say that I have only purged once since starting this medication. I have been on Prozac for 14 weeks now."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2011

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "20 mg/day of fluoxetine works wonders for my PMDD. I found it to be so beneficial that I asked for a daily prescription, rather than 2 weeks per month. Only drawback was the inability to orgasm, which I felt was detrimental to my physical relationship with my husband. I switched to Wellbutrin as a daily antidepressant. Found it to be very motivating and with no sexual side effects. After 6 months on Wellbutrin, though, I started to notice that my PMDD was creeping back in, and I was more irritable/snappy than before on a daily basis. Now I am experimenting with daily Wellbutrin plus 2 weeks per month of fluoxetine. Last cycle went really well. I think fluoxetine is a miracle mood stabilizer. If only it weren't for the sexual side effects!"

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "20 mg/day of fluoxetine works wonders for my PMDD. I found it to be so beneficial that I asked for a daily prescription, rather than 2 weeks per month. Only drawback was the inability to orgasm, which I felt was detrimental to my physical relationship with my husband. I switched to Wellbutrin as a daily antidepressant. Found it to be very motivating and with no sexual side effects. After 6 months on Wellbutrin, though, I started to notice that my PMDD was creeping back in, and I was more irritable/snappy than before on a daily basis. Now I am experimenting with daily Wellbutrin plus 2 weeks per month of fluoxetine. Last cycle went really well. I think fluoxetine is a miracle mood stabilizer. If only it weren't for the sexual side effects!"

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Ch_...
• June 30, 2020

For Agoraphobia "Fluoxetine saved my life. Had been suffering from bulimia, OCD, anxiety, and depression for years. I got prescribed this medication and felt better after 2 weeks of treatment. This medication does negatively affect the ability to orgasm and empathize at times, but well worth the positives of not being in the hospital."

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on fluoxetine for about a year, only 10 mg (I'm a petite woman, and sensitive to medication, so this dosage worked well for me). I struggle with anxiety/social anxiety, depression, and mild OCD. Fluoxetine has helped all of these, and I feel very “normal” overall. I have experienced some mild side effects: night sweats, decreased libido, and some emotional blunting (not being able to cry really). For me, these side effects are mild and strongly outweigh the everyday effects of anxiety, depression, and OCD. It does take a few weeks to feel the effects once you start fluoxetine, so I would encourage everyone to give it at least 1-2 months before deciding if it’s right for you."

• Anonymous
• April 13, 2015

For Depression "I've been taking this medication for 10 months. It has really saved my relationship. I was always moody, crabby, and wanted to be alone! I also have PMDD, and it has helped with that too. The only downside is my decrease in sexual drive. It is now hurting my relationship."

• Sol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 24, 2019

For Depression "This is an excellent SSRI, and it does work. There is, however, a trade-off. I am more calm and 'happy,' but my desire is completely gone, and feelings of joy are also a bit muted. The more I increase the dose, the more I feel these things, and there is also weight gain, albeit small. I am currently taking 10 mg as opposed to 20 mg to help offset these side effects. I'm hoping I can get away with 10. Although it isn't quite as effective as 20, I gain some desire back. I don't expect most people would choose to completely lose their libido and be okay with it. My husband isn't happy, that's for sure."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2010

Fluoxetine 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."

• Ban...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2019

For Depression "I took Fluoxetine for over 15 years. For more than 10 of those years, it truly helped. However, due to my worsening anxiety and real-life circumstances, its effects became fairly nullified the past couple of years. Though I think that's partially due to how long I was on it (btw, dosage was 20, then 40, then 60 mg a day after the first 3 years). When I first took it, after about 2 weeks, I felt even keel, meaning the extremes in my emotions were calmer, easier to put myself beside. Worked great for the time. Side effects were running hot (sweated so easily) and less sex drive, but yay less extremes and didn't suicide."

• bam...
• September 3, 2010

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have BPD, PTSD, and panic disorder. This was great for my depression, doesn't make me feel zoned out or numb, and has dramatically reduced my suicidal thoughts. I have had some anxiety and struggled with some insomnia when going up to 40 mg for a month or so, but the trade-off has been worth it. It's also reduced my need to take Klonopin as frequently, which is nice since I've been through so many meds for panic disorder that didn't help, and since so many doctors are so hesitant to prescribe benzodiazepines. The biggest downsides I've experienced are a drop in libido (I didn't have any issues on 20 mg, in fact, it seemed to work the opposite, but 40 has numbed me out in that one regard quite a bit), sweating a lot (this is actually probably the most annoying side effect), and some nausea in the mornings."

• J-d...
• September 16, 2016

For Depression "After a year of stress and then going back into my addiction that had been dormant for 2 decades, I tried 20 mgs of Prozac. The first 3 weeks were completely miserable. Anxiety, irrational thought, mood swings, constant bowel movements... but I was determined to hang in there. Amazingly, I started to feel better. After 6 weeks, I was a different person. I feel completely normal now. My wife was diagnosed with cancer and things went really bad in my life before Prozac. I am now on a much better path. I take 0.5 mgs of Xanax at bedtime and wake up feeling great. It is like a miracle of sorts. Mood side effects: a little bit of thinning hair, sex drive is down as I find it hard to climax, and I'm a little less empathetic."

• Amy...
• November 18, 2013

For Depression "I'm 19. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and told to take fluoxetine. I have been on it for 3 weeks, and since then, I have stopped having panic attacks but have experienced some horrible side effects, including headaches, vomiting, heartburn (that lasted hours), insomnia, fits of giggles, lethargy, muscle aches, loss of libido, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and a general feeling of not being altogether. So, the medication has stopped my low mood and constant anxiety but has made me feel ill."