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

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2019

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I am on Zoloft 75 mg, and it has really helped me with my PTSD and PTSD-related sleep disturbance. It takes the edge off, so I’m not in a state of flight/fight. It helps regulate my emotions. It doesn’t alter me too much at all besides making me happier and more balanced. Things that used to seriously stress me out don’t seem to bother me as much anymore. Only downside is it really affects libido."

• Nic...
• October 13, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Honestly, I was always anti-medication. Spent 4 years with professionals (weekly appointment). This drug has changed my life. I am no longer anxious about trivial items. It's not a magic pill, but it makes those minor items that would stress you out (that for the rest of the world would be irrelevant) removed. It's a bit hard on your stomach at first (I started at 25 mg to 50 mg to 75 mg and now 100 mg for the last two years). I am not pro-drug by any means, but if you have a serotonin imbalance, this is one that does not have many side effects. Limit your alcohol intake (especially at the beginning) and found my sex drive went down a bit at the beginning, but now all resolved."

• Arm...
• February 20, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I've suffered from severe PTSD and depression for many years due to my time as an Infantryman in the Army. I hid it really well with alcohol and avoidance/isolation. My poor wife missed out on many things in life because of me. This year, one of my closest Army buddies killed themselves and then, a month later, another. It was time for me to get help before I ended up like them. My psychologist at the VA put me on sertraline, and the first day, I felt like I had a jet pack on, flying around the moon. After a few days, I had noticed I hadn't had any road rage incidents (a daily occurrence). Then, after a week, I slept the whole night and got 8 hours of sleep, which is something I haven't done in years. Things that would trigger me or set me off had zero effect on me, and for the first time, I felt like a normal person. The only side effect/downfall is the lack of sexual desire, but who cares when I have my life back. The VA gave me Viagra for that... lol. Thank you, sertraline, for saving my life!"

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2014

Sertraline for Depression "20-year-old male. After failing 2 of my college classes in one semester, I decided it was time to do something about my increasing depression. The doctor started me on Zoloft. It took about 4 weeks to start to notice the effects. I experienced occasional shakes, and memory loss was frequent. I immediately noticed a decrease in sex drive, which wasn't a problem until I started dating again and couldn't get it up the first time I was with my current girlfriend. Luckily, she is understanding. My doctor is switching me to Wellbutrin. If it hadn't been for the decreased sex drive, I probably would have stayed on it."

• M56...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "This is a most bizarre drug. Spent two weeks on it, could not bear it anymore, and tapered off. Severe side effects (and I only took 50 mg), the worst of which is increased anxiety. This was really bad, with paranoia being almost clinical and accompanied by awful physical symptoms, including rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, poor sleep, and loss of libido. I feel so much happier once I have stopped being terrified of leaving the house (another side effect), speaking to anyone, or catastrophizing every tiny thought. So it kind of worked, but not the way it was supposed to: being on this drug felt so horrible that not having it in your system feels like bliss. I am full of energy and hope now."

• Evi...
• February 24, 2019

For Dissociative Identity Disorder "I urge everyone to give meds TIME to work. I suffered with anxiety off and on for years, but last year I watched my mother die right in front of me, after which I had a miscarriage, found out I had a Chiari 1 (a condition in which brain tissue goes into your spinal canal), and was BRCA positive, so needed to have ovaries removed shortly after. By August, I was experiencing derealization for weeks at a time, terrible panic attacks daily, and severe health anxiety with obsessive thoughts. I was dizzy and started dreading leaving the house. I feel much better now!!! My only side effects were some spaciness and fatigue for the first two weeks. I have almost no derealization, and my anxiety/panic/intrusive thoughts are down probably 80%. I would urge anyone who is desperate with their mental health to try sertraline. I started off at 25 mg the first two weeks, went up to 50 mg, at the 6-week mark I took 75 mg for a week and am now on 100 mg. The only downside is my sex drive is a bit diminished, definitely worth it though."

• AnS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking this drug to battle mild depression. 50 mg a day. Pros: 1) more energy than usual. I go to the gym more than I used to (losing weight). I go the 'extra mile' at work, I got a promotion (financial industry/hedge funds). 2) depression started to fade. Cons: 1) the doctor told me to take it before bed. Insomnia was so severe I switched to morning. 2) no desire for sex. 3) I started to feel numb, not literally. Stuff I care about, I no longer do. This is where the depression starts to fade (partly). Hard to explain this one... 4) I'm alienating myself from friends. I like spending time alone, but I'm spending even more so now. 5) I have to take Ativan before bed from time to time due to extra energy."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress "I love it! I have only been on the product for about two weeks now. I had an upset stomach for a week initially, which is now a mild ache. It has curbed my snacking, which may have been from depression, but no weight loss yet. Aside from that, I have no anxiety, or it's very minimal. I am taking 50mg and don't feel doped up. I even raised my hand and asked questions during a meeting, which I never used to do without severe stress and anxiety. I don't have the 'what if' in traffic and have more confidence in myself. It kills anxiety if you are a true sufferer, but it also kills your libido."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "For many years, I have dealt with generalized anxiety disorder. Earlier this year, I began having severe panic attacks that landed me in the ER. The first week on 25 mg was really hard, I had a very upset stomach, diarrhea, and increased anxiety. The side effects started to lessen after that, only to start back up all over again when I went up to 50 mg. Those side effects only lasted about a week again, but I didn’t get a good night's sleep for about a month after starting 50 mg. It was awful. But that has also now passed, and I can truly say that I feel better than ever entering month 3. The one side effect that I think is here to stay, unfortunately, is the sexual side effect. However, I have none to very minimal anxiety, no panic attacks. I feel back to my normal self. This is a medication that you definitely have to ride out the storm in order to get to the positives. It helps going into it knowing that it’s going to be hard, but it’s worth the outcome!"

• Zol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2022

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I told myself I would post on here after I felt Zoloft had helped me. I'm a 28-year-old female who has never been on medications before or treated for anxiety. Currently, I’m an RN who works in a high-stress area. This summer, I experienced severe anxiety (21/21 on the GAD scale) and was very distraught by it. My GP started me on Zoloft in conjunction with therapy. I started at 25 mg for a week and increased by 25 mg until my dose is now at 100 mg. The Zoloft onboarding for me was HARD. Increased anxiety the first couple of weeks, loss of appetite, insomnia, diarrhea, loss of libido. I think if I would have known beforehand and received better education on Zoloft, it would have been less distressing. BUT I’m here to tell you I’m over 3 months on Zoloft and feel 90% better. I also supplement with CBD gummies when I feel stressed or hydroxizine and propranolol when required when I feel even more anxious. Also, exercising, meditation, and decreasing my caffeine and alcohol intake has helped. My GAD score is now 6."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2024

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "After years of therapy and trying basically every non-pharma treatment (supplements, meditation, cold showers, exercise, etc.), I finally decided to try sertraline for my anxiety, which was increasingly interfering with my daily life (mild depression as well). Started at 25 mg for about two months before my doc bumped me to 50 mg. I feel like a new person, truly a miracle for me. I can enjoy life again, am sleeping better, relationships have improved, and I can handle stressors so much better. Had some mild symptoms upon starting: mild headaches, low energy for about two weeks. Some difficulty orgasming for maybe two months. Now, happy to report I have lots of energy, sexual performance back to normal, and I didn’t gain any weight as I was afraid could happen. If anything, my weight has stabilized or gone slightly down since I don’t eat to cope with anxiety or stress anymore. Truly grateful to have made this step. Oh, and no blunting of emotions, I still feel a full range."

• Liz...
• April 23, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I am a 45-year-old female and have had mild to moderate anxiety for most of my adult life. I lived with it for years and tried different medications on and off when my level of anxiety increased. I also tried yoga, meditation, exercise, and counseling. A year ago, a new doctor prescribed 100 mg Zoloft 1x/day. It took about a month for me to feel a difference, but Zoloft has given me the most 'normal' feeling of any drug I ever tried. I do not have sexual side effects, as I did with other antidepressants, nor do I feel numb or sleepy throughout the day. I have gained some weight (15 pounds) over the past year, but I can't really attribute it just to Zoloft."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2018

For Depression "I started on 50 mg sertraline daily 6 weeks ago for moderate depression and anxiety. Side effects for the first 2 or 3 weeks were quite intense - especially for the first 10 days. I felt alternately wired and exhausted, experienced nausea, felt overwhelmed/confused at times, and had strange pins and needles sensations in my extremities. These effects have now worn off, switching to taking the tablets at night also helped. After 6 weeks, I feel great - I’m more in control of my emotions and able to stop myself from spiraling into depression/anxiety in situations where I would in the past. I can understand the major side effect of decreased libido, but for me, the improvement in mood/self-esteem has counteracted this, and my sex life has actually improved. So uhh... highly recommended!"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft has helped me so much so far. I have spent the last three months getting worse and worse. Panic, anxiety, and depression. I was on Wellbutrin, but it just seemed to make me worse. Two days after starting Zoloft (I take it before I go to bed), I woke up happy. I felt normal - like myself! I don't know about the sexual side effects yet because, frankly, it was difficult to want to be intimate when I was living in an emotional hell. Thank you, Zoloft!!"

• 2Pi...
• March 1, 2008

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Very effective in controlling OCD and associated panic disorder. However, gained 70 lbs (not by changing eating habits, but it's as though it raised my metabolic 'setpoint'). Decreased sex drive. Despite the side effects, this medication has been a Godsend."

• Ken...
• January 22, 2013

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "Sertraline (Zoloft) works great for panic disorder. It may take anywhere from 2-3 weeks to start working at a functional level. Of course, with any of these medications, side effects may occur and vary with each patient. One of the main side effects of SSRIs is sexual dysfunction; however, I personally haven't seen much of a difference regarding this common side effect, apart from lasting longer in bed (which is great for her). Overall, this medication is good for panic disorder, not so much for depression, as far as in my case. Remember, everyone is different and responds to these medications differently."

• Hap...
• December 5, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft is WONDERFUL. I have been on every other drug in the antidepressant class for 25 years. Paxil was fairly good for anxiety, but as a male, I was unable to even pretend to orgasm. As long as I stay at 50 mg with 150 mg Wellbutrin, I am able to orgasm. At 100 mg, sexual side effects kick in, but not to the extent of Paxil. IT TAKES TIME TO WORK. I would say 6 weeks to 2 months for full effect, but then nirvana."

• Inu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years. I tried sports and therapy for a couple of years, but my symptoms came back often. My Sunday blues were horrific, and my separation anxiety destroyed my days. I found myself ruminating on the same thing over and over and becoming always more anxious. It was a month ago when my husband told me that it was time for me to get medical help because I was jeopardizing our relationship. We took the decision together, and we sought help. I was put on Zoloft 25 mg for a month and now increased to 50 mg. My first 3 weeks were terrible, especially the first two: dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, heat flashes in the middle of the night, no sex drive, and no climax. But now, I feel so good. I feel I can concentrate and I am not sad. I am also taking 25 mg of trazodone when I need to fall asleep. I wish I had started Zoloft in my teenage years!"

• Big...
• August 13, 2019

Sertraline for Depression "I worked my way up to 200 mgs Zoloft for depression, and I have been feeling extremely sluggish. The lack of sex drive and wanting to sleep all the time is not a bad trade-off for the severe PTSD and panic episodes due to traumatic events I had. I’m not 100% fictional, but I’m better than I was. I did not want to take any medicine and tried everything the natural way, but I was still reliving the loop in my head, and now I have the thoughts, but they disappear pretty fast, and I can go along with life. Not been able to get back to working out yet after 2 months, but I can focus on other things now. I hope I don’t have to be on this forever, but for now, it’s helping me get by."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I have pros and cons with Zoloft. I suffer from MDD, panic disorder, and bipolar. I noticed my anxiety moments are not that intense as they used to be, and I don’t dwell on my thoughts as much, which is a plus. I don’t feel my anxiety deep in my gut like I used to. Some cons are my sex drive is almost completely gone. I usually don’t even like to be touched, I’d rather be left alone. My agitation is almost always at an all-time high. I also really have no motivation to get out and do things, I’d rather be inside hiding away. I necessarily don’t feel happy or sad, I just feel “blah.” As of right now, I’m on 100 mg, I just don’t feel like it’s helping me the way I’m wanting it to. At this point, I’m really wanting to wean off. I don’t feel “happy.” I feel like I’m just here, and it’s the worst feeling ever."

• sma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2020

Sertraline for Postpartum Depression "This drug, Zoloft, saved me... and my family from postpartum depression. I was experiencing terrible emotional turmoil during my pregnancy, and afterwards my anxiety was so high that I was afraid I couldn't work, I couldn't have conversations with friends/coworkers without almost having a panic attack. I was afraid of taking medicine, that it might make me feel like a zombie... I was wrong! I feel like myself, except calmer and less anxious. It's harder to orgasm, but my drive is through the roof because... I'm not depressed! Thank you, Zoloft! I started at 50 mg and now I'm on 100 mg, and it's the perfect dose for me. I did have an anxiety increase at first, but got much better after a few weeks of use."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2018

Sertraline for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I've had PTSD since childhood. Outbursts of rage plagued me throughout most of my life. Lost a lot of jobs because of PTSD. Have been on Zoloft - 50 mg for 4 months. Outbursts of rage have stopped. Big improvement for me. The downside of Zoloft for me is the loss of sex drive. I can live with it, since the absence of moments of rage is such a big improvement for me. When I first got on Zoloft, I had periods of drowsiness, but those have become less frequent. All in all, Zoloft has improved my life considerably. Too bad I can't go back to apologize to all the people who had to endure my past outbursts."

• Boy...
• April 7, 2014

Sertraline for Depression "I took it for 8 weeks, 53-year-old male. I moved to a new town for a job. It is pretty depressing when you don't know anyone. Zoloft 50 mg. First night, NO sleep. Started taking it at night with Ambien. I sleep for about 5 hours, then I'm up at 3 am. Major side effects: inability to orgasm, clenched teeth, restless legs, trembling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and sweating. The first week was nausea, trembling, but emotions were better. After 8 weeks, I think the side effects aren't worth the benefit. Quit cold turkey 4 days ago. No major problems. Teeth clench still, but not as bad."

• DDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Depression "Been on sertraline 25 mg daily for 1 week. A week ago I was having suicidal thoughts every day, severely depressed, felt like I was at the bottom of a very deep black hole with no way out. After 4 days, I found myself laughing naturally again, noticing people properly, picking up on body language better, and concentrating on tasks again. Early days, but for me at least it really seems to be giving my brain the chemical it was lacking and needed to 'fire' properly. A few side effects, mostly decreased libido, but to be honest, that's a bit of a relief."

• jon...
• November 10, 2007

Sertraline for Depression "I have been on Zoloft for about 2 years. I love this med. Before Zoloft, I was very irritable, depressed a lot. Now life is a lot better for me and my family. The only side effects I have had that come and go are decreased sex drive and at times restlessness. Other than that, I haven't had any bad effects. It would have been nice to have the weight loss! :)"