Venlafaxine and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say (Page 2)

• AAa...
• June 1, 2019

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Have tried other meds in the past. My anxiety went away, but I also felt like I just didn’t care about anything. Tried 37.5 mg dose of Effexor in the mornings, and after a few weeks, I was feeling pretty great. I felt much more stable, and the constant worry and mood swings faded away. But I could still feel happy, occasionally sad, and I felt more motivated than I had in a long time. After a year, I weaned myself off and still felt pretty good for about 6-8 months. Recently, I went back on as my anxiety was coming back, and this time it’s just 25 mg a day. My only noticeable side effect is my sex drive is pretty low. As I am feeling better, I’m also not self-medicating with (lots of) alcohol. I actually feel sick if I drink more than 3 drinks on these meds. This has worked for me and has definitely changed my life. It may not work for everyone, but after years of avoiding meds, the only thing I regret is not doing it sooner."

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety "Overall I love this pill, I have been on 75mg of Effexor for 8 years after being severely depressed and suicidal. I haven't had the same type of mood the whole time. The only downfall to this medication is the side effects, I have found that I have no libido and often very tired. Also, if I miss one day, I have very bad side effects like a really bad hangover. I am a little afraid of getting off the pill but I would like to try. Overall, if you need help with your depression, this pill is amazing."

• Eat...
• June 21, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I've never taken another medication for my depression (which usually manifests itself in anxiety), so I can only compare it to not being on medication. It has, overall, changed my life for the better. I suffered for over ten years before I finally sought help, and I haven't had a panic attack since I began taking it. Also, I no longer feel sad for reasons I can't explain, and, in all other ways, am still myself. The only problem: a significantly lowered libido. It doesn't bother me that much, but it certainly bums my boyfriend out. However, I believe that my anxiety and depression were more detrimental to a healthy relationship than the lowered libido is."

• Anonymous
• March 20, 2012

Venlafaxine for Anxiety and Stress "Before I started taking Effexor, I would get severely depressed, anxious, and my brain wouldn't stop. I have been on Effexor now for 4 weeks, and I feel good. I don't feel so anxious or down on myself. Even people around me have commented, and they don't know I am taking pills. The side effects I do feel are as follows: nausea (went away after 2 weeks), loss of appetite, no sexual desire, and blurred vision. Sounds like a lot, but I'd rather deal with these issues than be on a constant downward spiral."

• Bro...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 15, 2016

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started experiencing depression and anxiety attacks at around 19 years old. At the time, I didn't quite realize what was wrong with me; I just knew something was horribly wrong. I have tried every medication known to man: Celexa, Prozac, Cymbalta, Pristiq, Viibryd, Wellbutrin... and nothing. The emptiness, emotional turmoil, and suffocation I felt were ruining my life. Then in 2011, I started Effexor. I feel alive again, and I never thought I would feel normal again. The one thing I will warn about is the dependency. If you miss one pill, you will think you are coming down with the flu. If you ever decide to stop, you will have to taper off. Adverse effects: constipation, weight loss, vivid dreams, insomnia, sexual dysfunction."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2011

Venlafaxine for Hot Flashes "I had horrible hot flashes, getting one every 45 minutes to an hour on average. Since I've been on Effexor XR 37.5, my hot flashes have decreased to on average one a day and it's much less severe. I've been taking it for over a year. The only drawback for me is a reduced sex drive."

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2020

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "The people saying they don’t get side effects maybe they just don’t notice, but there are side effects. I sweat more, sleep less, and have no sex drive, but those are all things I can live with in exchange for the positive effects I get. I started taking Effexor in high school because I was sleeping an average of 16 hours a day, likely had depression because I was anxious so much, and my quality of life was abysmal. I left the house like four or five times a week at the most as a 16-year-old. Once I started Effexor, I started to feel more energized, I didn’t need nearly as much sleep, and my depression has cleared away completely. I still have issues with anxiety attacks, but have recently lowered my Effexor dose and started taking Lexapro as well. This is a medication you cannot miss doses on because you will start to feel serious symptoms of withdrawal if doses are skipped, but it’s a great medication worth trying if you haven’t found what’s worked for you yet."

• Pur...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2014

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "Once the correct dosage was established, my anxiety and panic attacks steadily improved. I underwent prolonged treatment due to a nasty relapse after the first round, following the birth of my first child. In the last stretch, I was on this medicine for 8 years. Dosage peaked at 150 mg, and after a couple of years following complete symptoms remission, we started dropping the dose VERY gradually. I have been off it for 9 months now. I had only mild adjustment side effects when starting the medicine: headache and nausea - both transient. During treatment, I had very low libido and poor appetite. Over time, while initial symptoms positively disappeared, I became more irritable, but the doctor did not attribute this to the medicine but circumstance/nature."

• Kin...
• February 12, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I started off with 75 mg and have stayed on it ever since because I found no reason to change it. The first day, I could feel this medication working, it was a little much at first, but nothing I couldn't handle. But I soon noticed that it took all my emotions away and made me dull to everything going on around me and in my life. Most don't like that, but I really do, I feel as if I have no cares in the world at all. Nothing goes through my head at all, it's like magic. It takes me a little bit to actually get my brain going and operating, but that's fine with me. Sleep and sex drive have gone down, but I still get the sleep I need, and if I need to perform, I can. I just don't have the desire to want sex. It's changed my life in such good ways."

• Ano...
• October 2, 2013

Venlafaxine for Depression "I took 225 mg of Effexor XR for about 6 years for MDD and was doing well until I started to notice a drop in its effectiveness. I then tried Lexapro (terrible) and Cymbalta. The latter worked well for about a year and a half, until, again, its effectiveness waned. My physician suggested that, since Effexor XR had worked in the past, I give it another shot. I've been back on 150 mg now for over a year and a half and am doing well on it. The medicine, along with talk therapy, has helped significantly. The side effects I experience are: increased sweating, dry mouth, and loss of libido. Also, missing a dose for more than a day is miserable, as it causes nausea, a 'disconnected head' feeling, and slight anxiety."

• Osg...
• January 6, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "I used Effexor XR for depression and anxiety for almost two years. Effexor has terrible anxiety and nausea the first several days. I started at 37.5 mg with .5 Clonazepam in the morning and before night, then upped to 75 mg. Clonazepam was removed once my sleep was restored. Great drug, gave me life and energy. Side effects: lowered erection, sex drive, and orgasm. Kept me going well, gave much more energy compared to Lexapro. Getting off after 2 years was not a problem. I was slowly reducing the dose every 2-3 weeks."

• chr...
• February 12, 2016

For Hot Flashes "My doctor prescribed venlafaxine for my hot flashes. When I talked to her about going on hormone therapy, she suggested that venlafaxine may be a good option, and not understanding much about anti-depressants, it sounded like a good idea. Wow, was I wrong! I took this medication for a total of approximately 2 months. At first, 37 mg worked great, but then my body adjusted within a few days and the hot flashes returned. I ended up increasing to a total of 3 37 mg per day tablets but continued to have hot flashes, and my sex drive became non-existent. I finally realized what I was doing to my body when I ran out for almost 5 days, and the withdrawal symptoms made me feel like a zombie (seriously). This stuff is a very strong drug and very addictive."

• Jul...
• July 21, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been taking venlafaxine to treat complex post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety, and episodes of clinical depression. It worked for me quite well, but the side effects of the meds were horrid and did not go away without weeks as promised. Vivid dreams, hot flushes, decreased libido, just to name a few. I felt numb. It was the main reason for me to try and come off it. Try is a good word. It took me three attempts in total. If someone had told me a year ago that coming off it would be so difficult, I would never consider putting those drugs in my body. I genuinely believed I was about to die last night! Electric shocks/waves going through my brain, feeling hot/cold, chest pains, uncontrollable crying with flashbacks, horrible vertigo-fell down the stairs this morning! My life is a misery at the moment. Please do some research before you start the treatment. Coming off this drug can be very frightening..."

• Dan...
• June 9, 2017

Venlafaxine for Depression "This drug is heaven. I feel no side effects whatsoever. Just 37.5 mg a day keeps my depression symptoms at bay. The only minor complaint is a lower sex drive, but that is a given side effect with antidepressants in general."

• Sul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2016

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I started taking this medication about eight weeks ago for increased anxiety (likely aggravated by menopause). It was affecting my life greatly. Side effects of blurred vision, low sex drive, and sweats were extreme. I kept questioning whether or not I would get past the side effects, especially the sweating, as I was starting to feel better. Thankfully, they all passed except for the low sex drive. That bothers me a bit, but not enough to change meds, and I feel amazing. Heading back to work next week and actually looking forward to it. I also realized I probably should have been on this medication a long time ago. Hang in there for at least eight weeks before giving up due to side effects."

• App...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2023

Venlafaxine for Depression "I was on 150 mg of Effexor for anxiety, depression, and ADHD for 8 months. It was great at first. I no longer woke up at dawn with anxiety attacks and could finally go to work, it also helped my anxiety when starting Ritalin. After a while, I started to feel very unmotivated and just numb, with no emotions. My sex drive went away, which before was super high, and I also couldn't orgasm, and if I did, it felt not as great. I stopped this medication because after missing just one dose, I had terrible vertigo to the point where I couldn't even stand without feeling like I was going to fall or throw up. I also got nausea and anxiety, along with tremendous fatigue and brain zaps, which I despise so much. Weaning off this medication now, and honestly, it's torture."

• Sim...
• April 22, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on Effexor ER for three years now for anxiety and PTSD, and it truly saved my life. I have had anxiety and depression since I opened my eyes. I got very good at managing my problem until I had a hysterectomy after a cancer diagnosis. I can honestly say I would have ended my life if this hadn’t worked so well for me. I have genuinely way less anxiety, but only on lower doses. On higher ones, I start to have bad side effects. Pros: I feel stable and happy for the first time ever. I don’t have social anxiety to the point where I won’t leave my house anymore. I don’t have terrible nightmares. I lost 40 lbs while on it as my appetite is low. Cons: withdrawal is terrible. Take your doses or you will FEEL it. My libido has suffered. I also tend to have trouble reaching orgasm. I take an herbal supplement called “In the Mood” that helps me with that (I am female). I have been on almost every med known to woman in my 39 years. This one worked well for me."

• Sim...
• April 22, 2021

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have been on Effexor ER for three years now for anxiety and PTSD, and it truly saved my life. I have had anxiety and depression since I opened my eyes. I got very good at managing my problem until I had a hysterectomy after a cancer diagnosis. I can honestly say I would have ended my life if this hadn’t worked so well for me. I have genuinely way less anxiety, but only on lower doses. On higher ones, I start to have bad side effects. Pros: I feel stable and happy for the first time ever. I don’t have social anxiety to the point where I won’t leave my house anymore. I don’t have terrible nightmares. I lost 40 lbs while on it as my appetite is low. Cons: withdrawal is terrible. Take your doses or you will FEEL it. My libido has suffered. I also tend to have trouble reaching orgasm. I take an herbal supplement called “In the Mood” that helps me with that (I am female). I have been on almost every med known to woman in my 39 years. This one worked well for me."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2012

Venlafaxine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder "I have been taking Effexor XR for about 3 weeks now for depression and generalized anxiety disorder. For the first three days, I felt a little dizzy but continued with the medication, and the dizziness went away once my body got used to it. I get a dry mouth and have lost interest in sex and cannot reach orgasm. I do feel a lot more focused at work and can think more clearly. I do find if I don't take the medication right on time around 9 a.m. every morning, I get a headache and agitated, so I try to take it at the same time every day. Despite the dry mouth and loss of sex drive, I will continue with it for another month or two and see what happens when I see my doc again."

• R0c...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 28, 2019

For Social Anxiety Disorder "I have been on this med, venlafaxine, for over 10 years. The first week, everything that I was taking the drug to cure was heightened x10. I couldn't look my father in the eyes, and I was for the most part barricaded up in my room. I toughed through it and was giving it a month for my body to accept it. Boy, am I glad I did. I have a very colorful personality, so it didn't turn me into a zombie by any means, but put me back down to earth. I could focus outward rather than inward when around people. For the first time, I could be myself for once. The withdrawals are terrible, so if you choose to take this drug, make sure you are strict on the time and frequency. When off these, I would get these brain rushes every 5 minutes, greatly increased emotions, and I always wanted to eat. My sex drive and ejaculation are nearly nonexistent when on the drug, though, but the positive effects make the side effects very minimal for me."

• LGG...
• March 28, 2015

Venlafaxine for Depression "I had been on Zoloft (50 mg/day) for depression for 8 years. Following a major chronic health condition, a medical specialist was concerned the Zoloft was no longer effective. Increasing to 100 mg/day was disastrous - head spins, dry, dry mouth, vertigo - so a psychiatrist recommended Effexor. Initial 75 mg/day, then 150 mg/day after a fortnight. Initially, I was unable to orgasm, but this lasted only about a month (same when I started Zoloft). Main concern is weird dreams most nights. The only thing I can tie this to is the Effexor. I have been researching online and it seems I'm not the only one. What a relief to discover - I was becoming quite concerned (and irritated). But hey, I feel so much better that I can live with it. I'm smiling again."

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 20, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm a 21-year-old female, and I've been suffering from an undiagnosed bipolar spectrum disorder for several years. I finally got diagnosed about 6 months ago, and I started 200 mg Lamictal, which changed my life almost instantly. However, my depressive episodes were still fairly debilitating, although less intense than before. I started 150 mg Venlafaxine in addition to the Lamictal, and it took about 7 weeks to fully kick in, and so began the happiest time of my life. These drugs saved my life, and the Venlafaxine, especially, made me happy again. The only side effects I had were decreased appetite and lowered sex drive. I didn't mind the decreased appetite, but the low sex drive sucked. I recently doubled my dose to 300 mg because some life stuff happened that was bringing out my depression. It's been 1 week, and it’s made my sex drive fly through the roof. I really hope this isn't a temporary side effect because it feels amazing after years of not having a sex drive from the depressive episodes."

• Loz...
• November 9, 2019

Venlafaxine for Depression "This medication has helped my depression heaps. I'm on 225 mg Effexor XR, however, I am worried that when I eventually stop the medication, the withdrawals will be insane. Effexor has helped settle my depression, and the only issue I have is that my sex drive is at an all-time low because of it."

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2008

Venlafaxine for Depression "I've been taking Effexor XR since 2004. The side effects that I experience are loss of appetite/weight loss and sexual side effects. However, every time I try another medicine or try to 'get off' my medicines, I crash, and I always go back to Effexor, and it works really well. So, it is a consistently reliable drug for me, and I am very thankful for it."

• N2H...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2018

Venlafaxine for Depression "I dreaded taking Effexor. It put me into a darker mood, outlook was foggy, nausea, headache, loss of libido, incapacitating loss of motivation, and extreme/intolerable drowsiness. I was in an important meeting with engineers, and I couldn't keep my eyes open no matter how desperately hard I tried. For me, there was no upside to the medication. It was an entirely negative experience. Had to discontinue and will never take it again. Yikes!"