Gabapentin- female anorgasmia/sexual dysfunction?

I've been on an increasing dosage schedule of gabapentin for the past 5 weeks, at this point up to (3) 300 mg capsules 3 times per day, but with no easing of my lower back pain. In addition to not getting relief from my pain, I'm unable to achieve orgasm. This has never happened in all of my 70 years of having a high sex drive and easy, frequent orgasms. I suppose I could tolerate that if I had to, but at the same time, the medication causes me to be in an almost constant state of sexual arousal. This is incredibly frustrating! I'm going to tell my doctor that I want to discontinue the gaba and gradually reduce the dosage till I'm off it entirely.

Ladies, it happens to men to with this same med. The problem is I take it for chronic pain and cannot stop. There are several other meds I take that do this too. That includes my opioids.

The only way I have found around it is to try naughty things, like in the den with no blinds down. That little edge sometimes helps.

I am taking 3600mg of gabapentin daily for small and large fiber neuropathy. I started taking it 15 years ago and the desire is there but the orgasm is not. Someone mentioned a medication for that’s just for men. Is there anything for women yet??? I can’t stop the gabapentin because my neuropathy is bad. And lyrica does not work for neuropathy.

I am also on 1800mg of Gabapentin daily for neuropathic pain and am unable to orgasm with my husband or on my own.
We are very happily married and have a very healthy sex life, so I know it's the Gabapentin.
I have previously been prescribed all the other usual medications for my nerve pain, but gabapentin has been the most effective so far.
I am in my mid fifties and just don't know what to do. My pain relief or my sex life!!!

Hello. Im looking to hear from someone who has experienced this and still continued the drug regardless for a year or more and still got their ability to orgasm back after withdrawal. Due to pain I have continued with the drug for 1.5 years after getting anorgasmia quickly after starting the drug. I too had a very high sex drive before, could reach orgasm within 5 minutes and have multiple, up to ten orgasms in a row. I'm worried that I might have caused permanent damage by not quitting the drug when my doctir told me that it could be causing the problem.

I am in the same boat. 37yr old male taking 900mg a day for severe hip pain and have never in my life had an issue climaxing and now it’s impossible and very frustrating. Have at least two more months before surgery and refuse to take prescription narcotics.

Hello gingerash. I am responding 5 years after your post in case anyone else is looking for this answer. I too- had a beneficial experience from gabapentin in that it did help nerve pain. I also liked feeling more calm- although a bit sloppy (so watch any emails or contracts you might write). However the main and biggest problem- and reason I eventually had to get off the gabapentin was because I could not get off (pardon the pun). I too am a woman but in my mid 50's. Never had a problem with having orgasm with my partner or alone. Until I went on gabapentin three times a day..I think having it just one and a lower dose at night might be ok (say 300 mg at night) but even that- I would not do now with consistency as absolutely, I could not orgasm. Sex still felt good- so that was ok. It did not turn off sexual desire, just the ability to orgasm. It is like your special parts are under a pillow. Anyway I had to get off of it.

That's heaps too much isn't it? I'm supposed to take 300mg 3* day. Today is my first day. I just opened the first capsule and swished it down with a shot of vodka. So now I wait.you guys have scared me!

I have this same problem on gabapentin. Ive been on it roughly 3 weeks and can not orgasm. Its because it numbs your nerves and prevents hyper sensitivity. So dont let these ppl think its your partner or something else its not. Its the gabapentin

Hello, GingerAsh ~

I hope you've been sticking by your own knowledge of your body in being sure that it's the gabapentin causing the anorgasmia. Even at a very low dosage, I was hit with the same issue, one I'd previously experienced with other medications, namely antidepressants. But I found a fix that works very well for me, although I told my doctor I didn't want to continue with the gabapentin for other reasons. So, have you ever heard of maca root and/or tribulus fruit? Maca 500 mg (Viva Naturals) and tribulus 1300 mg (Biogreen Labs) are the two most recent brands I've gotten on Amazon Prime. Read the reviews, and you'll be amazed! I really hope this helps you if you haven't already found relief.

I have the same problem. I’m fortunate that I only need to take it once at night (restless leg syndrome), so I can achieve orgasm in the afternoon. But think about it, I take it for RLS, a spasm (simplistic explanation). What is an orgasm? A spasm. (Again, simplistic). Don’t let anyone tell you it’s in your head! It’s the only med that works for me, but I have a workaround. I hope you all find your solution!

I understand what you are going through. I'm going through the same thing. Doing what I do by myself... it's not working for me now, since I started this high dose of Neurontin.