QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I was on 100 mg of Zoloft for about 3 months for depression. Due to the inability to achieve orgasm I went cold turkey. It's been 6 months now. Even though I can achieve Orgasm, there's no high lightened feeling or sensation on orgasm. I've lost nearly all interest in sex since Zoloft. How long will this last for? (Male, 38 y/o).
ANSWER:
It's not lasting that long. The most likely explanation to me is the generalized
anxiety disorder, possibly post - traumatic stress disorder. The use of any SSRI -
including Zoloft - will increase those two anxiety disorders. Even when Zoloft is stopped,
the increase in anxiety can remain - particularly for the generalized anxiety disorder -
look at my
screening test.
I did a study comparing Zoloft with Prozac in treating the BPD - and Prozac was so far
superior that I only prescribe Zoloft for premature ejaculation now. It can have a
profound impact on length of time to achieve orgasms.
Fear interferes with love and sexuality. A story I like to tell: If you and your mate were
in a cave, and a hungry lion came into the cave and saw you - what would happen to your
interest in sex and orgasms. The most common answer is that sexual interest would be
temporarily gone. Fear interferes.
