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

• Cat...
• March 20, 2013

For Panic Disorder "Works good for disassociation and also anxiety and panic attacks, however, it has a lot of sexual side effects, as in your erections are gone, but also you won't be interested in sex. This was reversed for the most part (around 70%) after being off it for a year and being on Celexa instead. Celexa allows for erections, however, it lowers sex drive as well. Would always rather not be interested in sex than panic and fear-stricken, so I have to say Paxil worked."

• Sar...
• April 23, 2017

For Depression "The good: - Improved motivation - More stable moods, fewer deep lows - Improved self-confidence - Decreased anxiety The bad: - (during the first few weeks) Insomnia - (during the first few weeks) Drowsiness - (transient) Vivid bad dreams - Difficulty reaching orgasm - Forgetfulness - Emotional blunting"

• NOT...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 17, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I tried several antidepressants (fluvoxamine, escitalopram, mirtazapine, buspirone), and paroxetine was by far the best of them (been 2 years on it). For those who are starting the medication, you have to be patient. It took between 1 and 2 months to take effect, but it worked wonders for my depression and anxiety, an authentic life changer. I only stopped the medication because it causes serious problems with erectile dysfunction and sexual libido. I felt total anorgasmia with paroxetine, so I will rate the medication a 9, because if it were not, it was by far the best medication I have ever taken. I did not feel any negative side effects with it."

• Gig...
• December 17, 2019

"I first started taking this medication in 2015 for Borderline Personality Disorder. It worked like a miracle, but not without side effects. I became a totally different person and didn’t suffer as much from all the BPD symptoms as I normally would. After gaining a ton of weight and making stupid decisions, I quit in 2016 (cold turkey, really tough). I decided to start again in 2019 because Prozac and Lexapro didn’t work. I went vegan as well, and I’m very careful with the amount of food I eat. That combined with being active made me not gain any weight. I will probably stay on this medication at a dose of 60 mg for the rest of my life. I can finally enjoy life without the fear of people leaving me, extreme insecurities, terrible mood swings, severe depression, and everything else that comes with BPD. I still have my ups and downs sometimes, but nothing compared to what it used to be. The constant cravings can be tough, and zero sex drive sucks, but the positives outweigh the negatives for me."

• kev...
• July 1, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Started on 10 mg for panic disorder and worked up to 20 mg. It enabled me to accomplish things I couldn't do before, but didn't completely rid me of all anxiety, just took the edge off enough to allow me to function. Recently, my anxiety/panic has gotten steadily worse, so I'm going to request going up to 40 mg, the target dose for panic disorder. I had next to no side effects other than some insomnia and a brief bout of sexual dysfunction where it was hard to climax. I gained about 17 lbs. since starting it, but I also feel better enough to go out to restaurants, and I eat out about 4 times a week. My exercise routine has also slackened due to lack of motivation. I suppose it could slow down metabolism, assuming the weight gain isn't entirely my fault (which I think it is), but even so, it's really not a deal-breaker considering how severe my anxiety was. Even though my dosage now needs adjusting, it has helped me lead a semi-normal life for the past year."

• Fem...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 19, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "Have been on Paxil 20-60 mg for 11 years and have found that while I still experience depressive episodes, occasionally suicidal ideas, I tend to recover faster-weeks instead of months. I've also experienced weight gain (30+ lbs), high blood pressure, constant dry mouth, lack of libido, and difficulty with orgasms. These side effects have affected my marriage and self-esteem, and I am currently slowly weaning off Paxil."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2011

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Paxil not only helped with panic attacks, it cured me of my fear of heights! The downside was the 40-pound weight gain over 3 months (exercise didn't help). Vivid dreams, and it took over 40 minutes to achieve orgasm (no complaints from the wife!),"

• Its...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 19, 2018

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Taking Paxil for intrusive thoughts. It’s been very effective at cutting down the thoughts, which is a welcomed relief. I can’t tolerate high doses due to pain in the body. But I was on between 20 mg to 7.5 mg over the course of 3 years. Then I tried to stop, and the thoughts came back. Right now, I’m on 10 mg and going back up with the doctor's help. The meds, Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP Therapy), and a 12-step group OCA have been effective in minimizing symptoms. Very little anorgasmia, but it increases as I go up on the meds. Don’t beat yourself up and give it time to work. It’s a slow, gradual improvement with meds. I felt different about 2 weeks in, and then every week after, I improved. If you can’t figure it out and there’s no conclusion, it’s the OCD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2019

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for 1 year for anxiety and depersonalization, it did not help with my depression, but it helped a lot with anxiety. I did not gain weight, but I had trouble sleeping during the first few days taking it. It made me feel sleepy during the day. No sex drive. It’s not a miracle pill, but it helped me a lot with carrying on with my life and getting my stuff together. Withdrawal symptoms were the worst!"

• Jam...
• November 17, 2013

For Anxiety "This is my second time taking Paxil. For me, it is the only medication that has been effective in treating my anxiety. I've taken just about every medication for anxiety over the past 10 years. In my early 20s, I took Paxil for about 6 months and experienced sexual side effects but only gained about 5 lbs. It was horrible to come off of Paxil, and I experienced dizziness, headaches, and nausea. I am currently 29, and I started taking Paxil again about 5 months ago due to increased anxiety. While it has been effective in helping me to lead a normal life with minimal anxiety, it has caused horrible weight gain. I gained 15 lbs in the past 3 months, which is a lot for my petite frame at 5'1". Due to the weight gain, I am currently attempting to stop."

• Red...
• December 6, 2014

For Depression "Paxil was the first antidepressant I was put on when I was first diagnosed with depression roughly a year and a half ago. While it did stop the suicidal thoughts, the side effects were just not worth it for me. It made me tired ALL THE TIME. And not just kind of sleepy. It was more like I could get a full night's rest, wake up, and not half an hour later feel so exhausted that if I laid down on the ground, I could take a nap right there. It also took away my ability to orgasm. I'm a 21 y/o (20 at the time) college girl who is a pretty sexually open person. So to say I was not down to never have another orgasm while on it would be a huge understatement. Did work, but not worth the side effects."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "I completely stopped having panic attacks after taking this medication for a few months. I had become housebound by several debilitating panic attacks every day. I have been on Paxil for close to a year, and it is still working. Side effects I experienced were bruising for the first few months. I also experienced numbness and tingling (my arms and legs started falling asleep all the time). I began taking magnesium supplements, and the tingling stopped. I am still experiencing weight gain and tiredness and constant yawning, as well as decreased focus and memory. I am also unable to orgasm, which is strange for me because I used to be able to reach orgasm very easily. Overall, I can work and live again, so it's worth the side effects."

• 70d...
• May 28, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Taken daily for nearly 20 years. PROS: Worked great for my panic attacks, anxiety, and anger symptoms. CONS: One side effect noticed that, especially with advancing age, came 'diminished libido' due to difficulty in reaching climax. In attempting to research the 'libido' symptoms, I discovered that this is one of the 'known' side effects of the drug. In fact, it was often prescribed for 'premature ejaculation'. The dilemma comes when one attempts to recapture their 'love life' by 'reducing' or 'quitting' Paxil. Depending on dosage and time on the drug, you may indeed hit a wall of 'withdrawal symptoms' that 'ain't no walk in the park'! For more details, just do a search for, say, 'Paxil Withdrawal Symptoms'. It won't be hard to find a myriad of data. Do talk with your doctor about it before attempting to quit. For me, it's a work in progress. Good luck, all."

• Cmc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2021

For Anxiety "This drug has changed my life. My anxiety has been decreased significantly. It started working within the first week, and I’ve been on it for about seven weeks now. I used to ruminate frequently and feel dread thinking about the next workday or “scary” thing I had to do. It’s so much better. I left this comment in hopes that someone with severe anxiety will give this a try. Can’t believe I suffered for so long. I just assumed that antidepressants couldn’t touch my anxiety. Well, I stand corrected! My libido is low, but who cares… the dread and extreme social anxiety are gone."

• Anonymous
• October 6, 2010

For Anxiety "I have been on Paxil for about 6 years now, and it has really helped lower my anxiety and elevate my mood. When I first started taking it, I noticed I felt calmer and in a better mood within the first 2 days on 10 mg per day. After a couple of months on Paxil, I felt a lot better but was starting to build up tolerance, so my doctor had me increase the dosage to 40 mg/day. The side effects were mostly sexual (decreased sex drive and harder to reach orgasm). I also have experienced weight gain, increased appetite, and sleeping more while on Paxil. I highly recommend this drug, but make sure not to stop cold turkey because the withdrawal symptoms can be severe with Paxil."

• Rot...
• January 25, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I have taken Paxil twice. Once in my twenties, and I'm currently on it again in my early 40s for different reasons. Having gone through the withdrawal before, I can tell you that it is difficult, and you should not do it without being under the watchful eye of a Dr. My main side effect is sexual, which in my 20's worked well. Now that I'm older, the delay in ejaculation is fine, however, the lack of feeling isn't great. Normally, you can feel the semen rising up through your urethra, but on Paxil, you can't. It still feels good to orgasm, but not the same. After I got off of it last time, I became so sensitive that two thrusts and I would explode. Not good for the ladies, although my wife always said she didn't care. At this point, my agreement with my Dr. is that I'm going on the drug for a short period and will begin my tapering again soon. I will say that this does keep me from getting aura migraines, and it is wonderful not to have those."

• Meo...
• January 31, 2017

For Depression "I absolutely hated this medication. I have been struggling with panic attacks and major depression since I was younger. I was put on this medication for about a year, and my panic attacks were not so often. The downsides of medication are that I felt little to no emotion and had zero sex drive."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2022

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for 3 weeks and stopped because it gave me low libido, no sex drive, weak erections, bad sleep, low memory, low concentration. That is called PSSD. Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction continued after I stopped Paxil, and I have had PSSD to this day. I have had PSSD for 12 years after I stopped Paxil. It's like one part of me is missing. There are thousands of people like me, search PSSD on the internet."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2022

For Anxiety "I took Paxil for 3 weeks and stopped because it gave me low libido, no sex drive, weak erections, bad sleep, low memory, low concentration. That is called PSSD. Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction continued after I stopped Paxil, and I have had PSSD to this day. I have had PSSD for 12 years after I stopped Paxil. It's like one part of me is missing. There are thousands of people like me, search PSSD on the internet."

• Nma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

For Anxiety "I was on Prozac for many years. I felt that it was time for me to get back on it due to increased stress and menopausal symptoms. I have been anxious and depressed. My doctor recommended I try Paxil. It is an SSRI like Prozac but has additional properties that help with menopausal symptoms. I am only on it 4 weeks, but I am going to switch back to Prozac. I am taking 10 mg of Paxil, and I am constantly tired. I feel out of it. It has helped with anxiety and heart palpitations, but instead of giving me a sense of “clarity” when I am annoyed or anxious, I am overwhelmed with a sense of exhaustion... like a sedative feeling. Not much of an appetite either. Zero sex drive. I hope the Prozac will work again, and it’s not that my body chemistry has changed."

• Nic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Been on Paxil with Wellbutrin since early 2000. When I've tapered down below 10mg/day, it usually ends up with me needing to up the dosage to 20mg for a while, following which I tapered back to 10mg. At 10mg, the sexual side effects are less troubling. My doctor added a low dose of gabapentin to my daily Paxil/Wellbutrin regime, and it's been helpful. All in all, I'm very happy not to be the person I was before my anxiety/depression diagnosis when I started Paxil. Has it been life-changing? Yes, and in a very good way. It just works for me."

• Anonymous
• May 9, 2009

For Depression "My doctor started me on Paxil when I was 6 months pregnant. It made me emotionally numb. I kept taking it for about 3 years because the side effects of missing a dose were unbearable. I had to have the dose increased and eventually was on the highest dose, and Xanax was added. I gained weight, was always tired, had a decreased sex drive, and I couldn't cry when I needed to. I attempted to stop taking it 5 times before I was successful. I had horrible withdrawals for two months: sensitivity to light, nausea, a jolting sensation through my head and arms, and uncontrollable crying. It was worth it. I am now taking Zoloft and finally feel normal. I lost the weight I gained while I was on Paxil, and I cry when I need to."

• Did...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Originally took it in 2000. Took several weeks to work, with some anxiety leveling off immediately. Went from 10 mg to 30 mg. Stayed on it for several months, but sexual side effects were a concern. I wish I hadn't stopped taking it. I was talking to people, maybe a little manic as well. But 17 years later, I tried so many, but no benefit like Paxil, so I'm starting Paxil again with Seroquel for manic episodes."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for 3 months and have gained 6 pounds. Doesn't sound that bad, except I've been going to the gym like crazy to counteract this side effect, and still the scale keeps creeping up. I have almost zero interest in having sex, and when I do have sex, I cannot have an orgasm. Any interest in sex I do have is counteracted by the fact that I feel gross having gained extra weight. If I were single, I might not mind the sex issue as much, but if you are in a relationship, I would consider a different drug."

• Anonymous
• November 24, 2009

For Anxiety and Stress "I have been on Paxil for 3 months and have gained 6 pounds. Doesn't sound that bad, except I've been going to the gym like crazy to counteract this side effect, and still the scale keeps creeping up. I have almost zero interest in having sex, and when I do have sex, I cannot have an orgasm. Any interest in sex I do have is counteracted by the fact that I feel gross having gained extra weight. If I were single, I might not mind the sex issue as much, but if you are in a relationship, I would consider a different drug."