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

• Boy...
• April 7, 2014

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."

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

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."

• Min...
• November 2, 2016

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!"

• j...
• February 21, 2012

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."

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

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."

• Lov...
• January 21, 2015

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."

• oni...
• October 6, 2009

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."

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

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."

• the...
• January 16, 2019

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

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

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."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2011

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

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

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."

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

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."

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

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

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

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."

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

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."

• sti...
• February 27, 2012

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

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."

• FAs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2018

For Panic Disorder "For about ten years, I smoked high-strength skunk (high-potency cannabis) every day from the age of 15. One day, I snapped and had a mental breakdown. Nonstop panic attacks. After about 6 months, I discovered Valium, and I coasted through the next 2-3 years with a mask. Then it got too much. I quit my job and got prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). The first few weeks were so hard, but I was used to it. For the past 3-4 years, I couldn’t get a tube, train, or go into central/shopping centers without having crippling panic attacks. Now, 8 weeks after this medication, wow, I’m actually normal. Finally, after all this time, I can live normally. It’s incredible, I could cry, I’m so happy. At first, I lost my appetite (gone after a week) and lost libido (gone after about 6 weeks). My only side effect is bad sleep, but hey, it’s worth it. This is a wonder drug, and I’m not ashamed to say I’m taking it. I’m only on 50mg. Life changer. Subtle as well. You’re not doped up."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2020

For Depression "Increased anxiety dramatically the first few days I took it-to the point I thought I would have a panic attack while I was driving. This leveled off, but after every morning dose, it would increase my anxiety a bit. Helped with depression, I think, but unfortunately, after a month, I started developing sexual side effects and had to cease."

• aka...
• July 8, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I had anxiety and panic attacks for about 3 years. I finally said enough was enough when I promised after another panic attack I'm going straight to the doctor, and I did. And I'm glad I did. This drug makes anxiety come all the way down to a manageable level. It takes about 2 months from my experience to work. I've been on 50 mg for 5 months, and I should increase my dose for the remaining anxiety, but there's a reason I won't. The drug's sexual side effects are bad, it lowers overall sex drive and makes it hard to climax-very annoying. That's the main reason I want to get off them, as well as a dislike of long-term medication. For someone who is looking to try the drug but maybe apprehensive: don't be scared to try this medication, don't live in anxiety hell."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I promised I would share my experience to offer hope to those who might be struggling like I was. This spring I suffered from major anxiety resulting from medical issues. When I began Zoloft at 50 mg, I had so many side effects! Insomnia, tremors, muscle twitching, jittery feelings, buzzing in my extremities, night sweats, and sexual side effects. I was discouraged because so many others felt better in 4-6 weeks and, while I had seen some improvement, I was nowhere near where I wanted to be. I started taking the medication in the morning to address insomnia, and that helped tremendously. Tomorrow marks week 8 for me, and I can honestly say this week has been a turning point. Side effects have reduced significantly, and I now am beginning to feel like my old self. Sexual side effects remain, and my doc said they would likely not improve. At some point, I will likely wean off. That said, it has still helped me tremendously, and I was slower to respond than others! Hang in there!"