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

• zol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2022

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Three months ago, I was a total mess. Suffering from the way my mind was working. Was feeling like I am losing it. I went up to 200 mg by increasing doses by 25 mg after 6-7 days. Side effects? Night urination, less sex drive, and sometimes dry mouth. My sleep time got more peaceful, although sometimes I couldn't sleep. Sometimes I feel tired but never felt like a zombie. I have started feeling like depression is leaving me, and my OCD is better. I know it will always be with me. I visit a psychiatrist, and I won't stop having sessions. Started feeling like my mind is approaching a more normal state. I had reached the bottom, and I want to forget all the negative thoughts I had. Fear of my thoughts. Harm OCD, etc. OCD is so hard, but there are other mental illnesses that are worse, i.e., bipolar. Luckily, I am still thinking logically, although my mind is working in a tricky way ... always there to stress me and to harass me. I read fluvoxamine is good for OCD too. Good luck, OCD survivors."

• Eri...
• August 22, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I have had anxiety attacks since I was 24. I was on Prozac for almost 15 years, and it really helped. I went off it on my doctor's advice, saying I could cure it with diet and exercise. About 6 months later, I was in a terrible position and dreaded life. I saw a psychiatrist that I paid out of pocket because Covered CA tries to get you to see people with MA degrees in counseling. Of course, they are much cheaper. The very kind psychiatrist empathized with me and said I should not have to feel this way. He put me on sertraline, starting on 50 mg, working my way up to 300 mg over two months. The first 2-3 weeks were hard. I had some sexual side effects that are gone now, and I feel like a normal person again. I am extremely happy with this."

• MIS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Been on this sertraline for about 3 months, and it has definitely helped with my co-morbid depression and anxiety. Day to day, I'm much more stable and able to focus on other things opposed to my emotions spiraling all over the place. If there's something that I find particularly triggering, however, it doesn't do much to dampen the immediate response. Also, my impulsivity is still an issue but now taking shape in binge eating opposed to self-harm. That said, the difference has been big and positive for me. Some of the side effects are not pleasant (lethargy, nightmares, no libido), but there are probably worse."

• Min...
• November 2, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "This medication worked wonderfully for me. Totally changed my negative and depressed attitude about life. The only downside is some weight gain and very low libido! My doctor is actually switching me to Viibryd because of these side effects. Very scared to change medications when this one worked so well for me!"

• Lov...
• January 21, 2015

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft got rid of my anxiety (I have general anxiety) at 50 mg. At 75 mg, my tics started improving greatly (lessening). Unfortunately, though, Zoloft made me more depressed, in an apathetic way. I suspect it's the decrease in dopamine due to raising my serotonin. Dr. is adding Wellbutrin. Maybe I'll get my sex drive back too (which Zoloft also squashed). Overall, for anxiety, it works very well for me."

• j...
• February 21, 2012

Sertraline for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Zoloft at first helped with the immediate lifting of my moderately to severely depressed state, while undergoing treatment with the medication I have been, in so many words, transformed (as far as OCD symptomatologies go). I stopped my continuous ritualistic, obsessive habits such as checking, obsessive cleaning, etc., and began instead to be noticed by everyone as having a relatively light and airy disposition as opposed to my former, neurotic and morose self. The dose had to be increased to work optimally, in fact, several times. I had no noticeable sexual side effects, as other SSRIs I had used. The change I experienced as far as mood, behaviors, etc., were first in fact noticed by others, then by myself."

• Ser...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2018

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "Lifelong depression sufferer. First 3 days felt like Valium, floaty and nice, but symptoms were largely unaffected. Next fortnight was harrowing, with vastly increased anxiety and insomnia, mind roaring the entire time. After that, things chilled out a bit and life has gotten progressively easier since. First good day came at the end of week 4. Now in week 7, and it's as if depression is a thing of the past, any fog thoughts are controllable and no longer dominate my outlook. Should also mention a weird taste that stuck around for the first few weeks, has either gone now or I've gotten used to it. Sexual desire dropped off for a while but has returned, orgasm is definitely less intense, though. Weighing up pros and cons, I'm functioning better than for a long time and am seeing aspects of myself that were unthinkable just 2 months ago. I'd happily stay on it forever at this point."

• oni...
• October 6, 2009

Sertraline for Anxiety and Stress "I took Zoloft about 12 years ago for approximately two years. Within days of taking it, my mood and overall attitude improved very much for the better. I was able to tolerate and enjoy things that used to set me off. I had absolutely no side effects for at least a year, then I started to have a very slight sexual side effect, but nothing that I could not live with. I got off the medication after about a year and a half, and all has been well. I was happy and content for over ten years. Recently, I noticed that I am very anxious and intolerant of people and situations just like I was years ago. I am now back on 50 mg and hope that it is as successful again as it was then."

• the...
• January 16, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "Took this drug for 2 years at 100 mg to treat general anxiety, major depression, and PTSD. It was a lifesaver. I went from not being able to leave the house to being a normally functioning human. However, I had horrible side effects the entire time. I had severe hair loss, I was never hungry - I lost 15 pounds taking this. I was sweaty all the time despite being calm instead of anxious. Could not tolerate any alcohol. Had a lot of headaches. Ground my teeth at night. Could not orgasm EVER. Was also in therapy the entire time I took this - with the goal of getting off of it once I was able to deal with things on my own from therapy. Took a 3 month taper and lots of Benadryl to help me sleep, but I got off it and haven't taken any meds in 5 years. You have to weigh the pros and cons. It was a bridge to get my mental health where I needed it to be on my own. Would only ever take it again if I was SEVERELY depressed and for a much shorter length of time because the withdrawal 'brain zaps' sucked."

• sup...
• November 16, 2016

Sertraline for Depression "I've only been on 50 mg Zoloft for about a week, and I feel like I'm in a way better mood at times and haven't felt as depressed as I was before taking it. However, I've lost a lot of sleep because of it, lost my appetite, getting confused at times, and absolutely no libido even if I tried. At times, I feel like a complete zombie, and it gets difficult trying to work because I feel so numb. I also feel a lot slower mentally, but that may be because of lack of sleep. Before Zoloft, I was having a suicidal thought every other day and cutting myself almost every day, and now off Zoloft, I am NOT thinking of hurting myself, and 1 suicidal thought in a week. I've been a lot happier on this medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I was on Zoloft for about 5 years. Before that, I was on Effexor and Paxil, which I did not tolerate well due to the half-life. Zoloft was good, but after several years, I developed side effects: tremor, jaw clenching, weight gain, sexual dysfunction. I weaned myself off of all meds, which was really hard. It's been nearly a year, and I'm ready to go back on something. I've tried natural therapies for SADD, PMDD, depression, anxiety, and it's not working."

• Luc...
• October 21, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I had situational depression and was started on 50 mg of Zoloft. It helped within a few weeks, but I had some major diarrhea when I started, which seemed to start resolving itself. Then I was upped to 75 mg, and the diarrhea started again. It's been 10 months in total, and I still have episodes of diarrhea a few times a day for a few days. Then for a day or two, I will be fine. I've lost about 19 pounds due to the appetite suppression effects and the diarrhea. I've also noticed a loss of libido, but these are side effects I'm willing to live with as opposed to the depression. I am having my recommended colonoscopy soon at age 50 for screening purposes and am sure the diarrhea is not a cause for concern. We will find out."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed sertraline in March 2019 for my severe anxiety. I was quite afraid to begin this medication. I started with 50 mg for 10 days and increased to 75 mg, and after a week on 75 mg, I then increased to 100 mg. I will say the medication did help my anxiety, but I became more anxious about the tablets, always wanting to come off them. I did experience serious sexual dysfunction, which I could not deal with. I have begun to wean myself off them slowly. I have begun more regular exercise and a healthy diet, which has seemed to also help. Since coming down off the 50 mg dose, I am more sexually active and much happier. I am currently on 25 mg every 2nd day. Good luck, everyone!"

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2011

Sertraline for Depression "I started taking this medicine when I was 16. I am 26 now. Right now I take 100 mgs. I was an unhappy teenager, and I can't say it did anything for me at that point in my life (but I was only taking 50 mgs then). I stayed on Zoloft all through college and only went off of it for about 6 months, at the urging of a boyfriend at the time. Those months were bad. I tried everything to feel better (exercise, meditation, different activities), but I always felt like there was blackness hanging over everything. I couldn't function socially and became rather reclusive. With the help of my therapist and psychiatrist, I went back on Zoloft, and my depressive symptoms decreased dramatically. I have been on Zoloft for 10 years now, so it's just a part of my life. I get sad sometimes, but when I get hopeless feelings, I can process them more easily. It's hard for me to imagine life without Zoloft, but I hope to someday regulate my depression with a therapist and go off of it. That said, I don't really have any side effects to speak of. Sometimes I have a low sex drive, but it's only at certain times of the month, like before my period. However, having a diminished sex drive on antidepressants is easier than not having any drive whatsoever when you are off them. To me, taking Zoloft is almost like taking a vitamin. It's no big deal."

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2020

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "Zoloft was the only antidepressant that worked for me and my anxiety. I go to school for theatre, and it caused me to have nerves of steel when performing in front of a crowd. People complimented my newfound confidence. However, my libido dropped so low, and after time, I kind of felt like I was just existing and not feeling. I slowly stopped it. It was very helpful for my anxiety, but I still wanted to feel."

• Doo...
• September 10, 2019

Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve been taking 50 mg of Zoloft for a year and 2-3 months now. I’ve had depression for a while and only started medication recently. Before Zoloft, I was on Wellbutrin for about a year. I switched after ending up in the hospital. Both made me feel numb, which I guess is better than crying and crushing sadness all the time? Lol. Zoloft, unlike Wellbutrin, has killed my sex drive. I think it helped with my depression, but it’s hard to say. I started taking it after leaving a horribly abusive relationship, so I can’t say for sure if it was the Zoloft that made me feel better. I didn’t have any side effects in the beginning, but for the past 6 months or so, I’ve been feeling exhausted all the time. I’m weaning myself off now because I want to try and feel joy, have great sex, and not be so tired all the time. We’ll see. It’s different for everyone, and I’ve heard many success stories. If it’s gonna keep you here and keep you going, definitely give it a try."

• byt...
• November 21, 2019

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I'm 39 and suffer from GAD, which I can generally control with sufficient sleep, exercise, and eating a clean diet. My mom died of cancer, which hit me harder than I had thought it would. A week and a half later, my heart went into AFib, and that broke the camel's back. I started a fast downward spiral of anxiety and a number of symptoms that accompany panic attacks for me (including unsteadiness, lightheadedness, and racing heart). My GP prescribed sertraline at a starting dose of 12.5 mg for 1 week, 25 mg for 1 week, and then settled in at 50 mg for 3 months. I'm on the last day of 25 mg, and I don't feel perfect, but I feel SO MUCH better. It's only been two weeks. My primary side effects include additional unsteadiness, evening sleepiness that turns into nighttime insomnia, and some loss of sex drive. Worth it to end the downward spiral I was on, and I find most symptoms clear up after about a week or so at each new dose."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2018

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I have been on Zoloft for 11 months, and it has literally been the best thing I've ever done for my mental health. Before taking Zoloft, I tried everything natural, including exercise, meditation, therapy, balanced sleep, eating well, and so on. I am not underestimating those things for balance, but despite my commitment to a healthy life, I was still having constant panic attacks, which would then spiral me into depression. I can't believe the level of life quality I have from Zoloft. I feel so much more relaxed, able to access my logical side when challenges arise. At first, a few side effects like churning stomach, sweatiness, inability to orgasm, and weirdly dilated pupils. They all subsided in a month of taking the drug! Please give it a go."

• sof...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on 25 mg of sertraline about 3.5 months ago for anxiety and stress and had almost no side effects. After about 6 weeks I started at 50 mg and thought it was helping, but the past two weeks have been pretty rough. Overactive thoughts, weird dreams, lowered sex drive (which has been the worst). I feel as though my bad days are worse than before-probably because my good days have been better and the bad ones are more sporadic. Does anyone else feel like they're getting a bit worse when their dose increased? I was just feeling so good for so long, and now it's been 2 weeks of feeling numb and sad."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2016

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "The drug worked in the sense that it completely numbed me, at least mentally. It also numbs you a bit from the waist down if you are on a high enough dosage - you will have little to no libido. I felt like a zombie and have never experienced this much apathy in my life. I was only on 50 mg and started to feel this way after 2-3 weeks. I continued on until 7 weeks to give my doctor the benefit of the doubt. I have never cared less about everything in my entire life - relationships, work, physical activity - I had no motivation for any of these anymore. I would come home from work and just sleep until the next day due to lack of motivation. Extremely scary, would not touch it again."

• Tae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 3, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I started these pills when I was 12 for anxiety and depression, and now I am 19. They work, that is to say, I'm not suicidal, and I can function in society, but I have certainly had side effects. No sex drive and cannot orgasm, terrible nausea and headaches, jaw clenching, vivid nightmares, and mood swings. It is definitely a give-and-take medicine if you can live with the effects."

• Tae...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 3, 2013

Sertraline for Depression "I started these pills when I was 12 for anxiety and depression, and now I am 19. They work, that is to say, I'm not suicidal, and I can function in society, but I have certainly had side effects. No sex drive and cannot orgasm, terrible nausea and headaches, jaw clenching, vivid nightmares, and mood swings. It is definitely a give-and-take medicine if you can live with the effects."

• hor...
• May 16, 2009

Sertraline for Panic Disorder "I have been on Zoloft for almost 30 years now and never any higher than 50mg. I was stricken with panic/anxiety disorder in my early 20s, and now early 50s, I have never had to go higher. It keeps the attacks at bay, but once in a while, I will get one. I have heard it is hereditary. I do believe this is the case. Both of my siblings struggle with the attacks, and take Zoloft as well. Both of my girls suffer as well. The youngest one, now 23, has just started on Zoloft, 25 mg, and she is not sure if it is working just yet. The oldest one is able to keep them at bay without medicines. You lose your sex drive on these medicines. I have confidence in this drug and hope others will also."

• sti...
• February 27, 2012

Sertraline for Depression "Zoloft was great for controlling my depression, anxiety, and obsessive thinking. The side effects were not terrible, all but one of them went away in about a month. The ones that only lasted through the first month were: feeling tired and drained as well as an occasional but mild headache. However, the only long-lasting side effect was decreased sex drive, which unfortunately never subsided for me. The drive is still there, it just isn't as intense. This is a great medicine for depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. If you haven't tried it, please do."

• ang...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2014

Sertraline for Social Anxiety Disorder "I was on Zoloft for about 7 years. Worked great at first, but eventually had to come off it due to horrible side effects. If I missed a dose, I would have debilitating brain zaps. Then, I started the brain zaps randomly through the day regardless of missing a dose or not. This medicine killed my libido."