Does Lexapro Decrease Sex Drive?

I was diagnosed with mild depression and have the need to get myself out of it in the short run , several life changes came together (death of mother and divorce) added to other circumstances which made me depressed at times. Lexapro 5mg certainly helped get me out of my mood , get up and do things , move and exercise and feel more cheerful . Sexually I found myself less and less interested in it, perhaps a good thing sometimes . Now , about six weeks after starting the Lexapro, I am going to check back with my doctor to see if I can lessen my dose or get off of the Lexapro altogether . I want to keep feeling more cheerful , but also want to enjoy sex again . This dose of Lexapro was at the same time diagnosed to my husband who is much younger . In his case it was for anxiety . He improved but has experienced the same down on his sex drive .

I have been on it for about a week now and although it takes longer to ejaculate I've noticed much higher pleasure and my penis is thicker! I think it depends on if Lexapro gives you what you need, for me it's exactly what I need. I'll update in a few weeks or if any changes occur.

Hi, lowly! Welcome aboard! First some figures: Impotence 3%, Decreased libido 3%, Ejaculation disorder 9%, Anorgasmia 2%. Weight gain 10%, Weight loss 6%.
These are actual figures taken from clinical Phase trials.
Yes, it's luck of the draw. AS FAR AS WEIGHT GAIN, DIET AND EXERCISE CAN MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT BUT THE DRUG ACTUALLY AFFECTS and changesTHE BASAL MET (I'm not shouting ~ my cap locks key sticks... :-) metabolism including hormone, endocrine systems, etc.
Hope this bit of info helps some. Please feel free to post anytime you have questions or concerns.
My best wishes,

yes

I am a 20 year old male who has been taking lexapro for the past 3 years. This response is my experience, so it might not be yours.

I have noticed a severe loss in sex drive over the past 6 months or so. I want to blame it on the lexapro, but as I have been taking it for 3 years, i can not come to that conclusion.
It is extremely detrimental in the sex are as my girlfriend works at an adult store, and wants to have sex constantly. It has come to the point where she will practically throw herself at me, and i decline. I would much rather have this minor side effect than live in the hell i lived in for a long time..

I would also like to add that overall, I am not a very depressed person. I am taking the Lexapro for GAD (generalized anxiety disorder).

That is my experience, and i hope that i dont deter you from getting the help you need. As I understand, most SSRI's will cause a loss in sex drive, but i can not confirm this as i have only been on this one.

Please let me know how this goes for you,
Mike

I'm a female, but maybe I can help anyway. I took Lexapro 10 mg for 3 yrs and then 20 mg for about 5 months. It really worked great for my GAD for the first 3 years. I had NO side effects at all! No sexual side effects. I think Lexapro has a pretty low side effect profile compared to other SSRI's out there. I think since you are also on such a low dose, you shouldn't have a problem. Also, if you do have an issue while taking it, once you stop it, you shouldn't have any permanent sexual dysfunction. Once its out of your system you're good to go. I really liked this SSRI, it does effect everyone differently, but its def worth a try. You seem to be really healthy, so I don't think you should have any issues with it. I did have a bit of weight gain, but I'm pretty sure it was me just overeating. LOL. Lexapro is the best drug I've been on to date.

i take paxil, and yes it will decrease your sex drive, but at your age the effects are minimal, maybe lasting longer with your mate, that's not such a bad thing.
if your anxiety is bad like mine was, it's more than worth it, if lexapro doesn't work out for you I suggest paxil it has a more of a sudated affect opposed to all others, good luck

That's scary right? The side effect are maybe's and I'm sure you'll figurer out how to get motor running. Viagra, like putting a little fuel to the fire. LOL ask your Dr. for em. Sorry about the tease, you'll be ok

Don't mean to bring you down but this is the way it is:

Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), like all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is known to cause certain sexual side effects. "Lexapro sexual side effects" may include:

* A decreased sex drive
* Ejaculation problems
* Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED)
* Decreased sexual satisfaction
* Orgasm problems
* A prolonged and painful erection (priapism).

A Decreased Sex Drive
Lexapro is known to cause a decrease in sex drive (known as libido) in both men and women.

Ejaculation Problems
Lexapro is also known to cause ejaculatory problems in men. In most cases, the problems were noted as delayed ejaculation rather than a complete inability to ejaculate.

Sorry... I myself have gone through this with other meds... it's ( no words)