For those of you that don't know, Last month I began taking the antidepressent drung "Cymbalta."

Am I depressed? Not really, But I have been stressed out a lot and this drug does calm me down and make me feel more focused at my job. So yes, the drug has been helping me A LOT but there is one HUGE side effect that I won't put up with for much longer. I'm walking around with a "Limp Bizkit", thats right I have Erectile Dysfunction and it SUCKS!(Now I know what a dog feels like after it gets neutered)
The Positives are outweighing the negatives but having no sex drive really sucks! I'm 32 years old, a low libido is something I have never experienced until now. I've talked to my doctor and he told me that this is a common side effect with these type of drugs and most of them do cause a decreased sex drive. Mine has not decreased, IT IS GONE!! I've tried other meds and they all seem to do the same thing. If anyone has experinced E.D. and had their sex drive go away while taking these drugs, please give me some suggestions or answers.
Should I just put up with this?? OR is this unacceptable?

if you dont have a spouse or girlfriend. whats the problem?

You could try Viagra! You should be able to get some free samples from your doctor!

I do have a girlfriend! And I have thought about Viagra.

See your doctor again.

IMHO, unacceptable. Press hard for other options.

He said "hard." Huh huh huh!!!!

HMOs generally try the patient out on the cheaper stuff (like Prozac, a true limp bizkit) and switch meds later if the patient complains. All I can say is lodge your complaint early and often. Some of the better antidepressants (like Celexa) may require 2 years on other meds first.


Of course, one can find a quack on craiglists and pay through the nose for something now, but do so at your own risk. You don't want to end up on KPTV-12 like the clowns at the Canby Police dept.

Ask your Dr. if they've checked your thyroid stimulating hormone, aka TSH. If the treatment has affected your thyroid function or exacerbated an existing borderline hypothyroidic condition, it will result in decreased creation of testosterone and reduced libido and ED. You've got to determine if the ED is caused by your condition, the treatment, or another as yet discovered factor (like the sluggish (hypo) thyroid condition I described above or diabetes) that you either had and went undiagnosed or didn't have but has been brought on by the condition or the treatment. If they haven't re examined your blood work since being on the treatment, it's worth a shot. According to what I read, sexual side affects occur in a low percentage of men.


http://depression.emedtv.com/cymbalta/sexual-side-effects-of-cymbalta.html (read both pages)

Viagra is 7 dollars for a 50mg pill. Most of the time you can cut it in half and 25mg will keep it up for a few hours. This is not covered on any insurance that I know of. Actually I have found that 25mg works for up to 24 hours on me.

I checked into Cialis, the pill that supposedly works for 36 hours. It was going for 21 dollars a pill .... I didnt bother ....

I am on some Hypertention meds that made me " like that" about 8 years ago. So I know of what you speak ! And I am in my late 50s, so I have an excuse to be not as horny !

The thing thats so great about Cymbalta is that it helps with my ADD because I do have ADD and it helps with depression. So It really is a great drug that I really want to continue, I just hate having the "Limp Bizkit" while I'm on the drug. Its funny because I went off the drug for 2 days, and I was back to being a "Horny Bastard". I even started waking up with "Morning wood" again, something I never get while on the drug.
And Hey Andy, I'll ask my Dr. About the TSH, thats interesting.

You don't realize how awesome a sex drive is, until after you lose yours!

another thing I was wondering about is, If a guy is on an anitdepressent does his testosterone levels drop?? Because I know when I'm on an antidepressent I never seem to get mad or irritated, Stuff just doesn't bug me like it does when I'm off the meds.

Justin- I really have to admire you even coming on this board and sharing this condition. I think you're getting some sound advice from everyone.

When I first read your initial post I was like, no way would I share something this personal.

Hope you get things figured out soon.