It is time to take this discussion to your doctor. This entire class of drugs is sensitive and difficult to titrate for any physician. The advice you get on this Board is mostly well-intentioned and pretty good. There are some things that we should not be advising upon here. My patients on prozac, for instance, were all put on by a consultant (what we call specialists in the UK) and my role is monitoring and adjusting with the advice of the consultant.

Many doctors, even, are not comfortable with these drugs. Their effects vary person to person; are affected by other medications (common with these) and even change in their effects from pre-puberty to adulthood.

Any one who is using them for recreation is risking self-induced psychosis and worse.

Gyre,

It may be possible, with very careful titration that most doctors will not be aware of, to increase the woman's libido this way but Demon states the more common experience that these drugs tend to reduce the libido in men and women. Bear was fortunate in having a doctor who worked with him to find a balance between therapy and quality of life. Seeking simply to improve your sex life would not be acceptable to responsible physicians to mess with any psychotropics - especially these.

Sexual side effects, yes it decreases the libido as do many anti-depressants.

What do you mean "if it's not prescribed"? Meaning you decided to take this on your own with out a doctor prescribing? Or what are the general health effects if your doctor takes you off it?

Try here

Yeah I was questioning the same thing?!?
Whether or not something is "prescribed"... it usually has the same effects on the body.
Are you suggesting you just buy it online and self medicate???
Taking meds that alter your brain chemicals should DEFINITELY only be monitored by a DR.

[QUOTE]Alice,
I know that you've briefly addressed the use of Prozac and its effects on the male libido, but I was wondering if you could comment in a bit more detail on its use by men to help them maintain a strong libido and increased control of release. I've heard recent stories about how a "very small" amount of Prozac can have a very dramatic result in increased control for the male — to the point of providing his partner with the best sex of their relationship... Could you comment? What are the dosages typically used for this purpose, and are there any major side effects?

—Looking for stimulation

Dear Looking for stimulation,
Prozac, generically known as fluoxetine, is the world's most widely prescribed anti-depressant; currently, more than 54 million people all over the globe use this medication to treat depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bulimia nervosa. Fluoxetine works by normalizing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. This provides freedom from constant negative thoughts, sadness, suicidal thoughts, low energy, negative self-image, pervasive thoughts of needing to perform a specific act, and overwhelming feelings of dread and fear. Contrary to what you've heard, fluoxetine does not increase libido. Actually, it usually reduces sexual desire or drive and inhibits orgasm, or the reflex of a sexual release; as a result, some men use fluoxetine recreationally to delay ejaculation.

However, if someone thinks that he has a problem with premature ejaculation, he may want to see a health care provider, such as a urologist, who can suggest an appropriate treatment regimen. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and Paxil (generically known as paroxetine), are prescribed by some medical providers for premature ejaculation. These drugs, often used in conjunction with sex therapy, can address this. Some sex therapists also use Eastern disciplines, such as Tantra, for maintaining erections and lasting longer during sex.

From your question, it's not clear if you actually need fluoxetine for use as an anti-depressant, or if you would prefer to have it as a tool in your sexual shed. Based on the info offered here, recreational use of fluoxetine by a man who does not experience premature ejaculation will neither allow for greater ejaculatory control or stamina, nor provide his "partner with the best sex of their relationship." In addition, what one considers the best sex, another may not. Plus, this pressure over pleasure creates an undue expectation, excluding other essentials that enhance sexual experiences. What about the feelings involved in being wanted, desired, lusted after? What about tender touching and caressing? Lasting longer is not the only or primary factor in satisfying a partner sexually.

You can always read books on how to increase sexual pleasure through various exercises and techniques, and can then open the conversations about this topic with your partner more easily. Some books for men that you can check out include Michael Castleman's Great Sex: A Man's Guide to the Secret Principals of Total Body Sex and Bernie Zilbergeld's The New Male Sexuality. Whether you want your sexual desire to increase, or your erections to last longer, fluoxetine plays no part in the solution.

Alice
[/QUOTE]

I was thinking maybe this was what he was wanting to use it for... to prolong sex. I have heard that sometimes antidepressants are prescribed for ED or related conditions.

My personal experience with all antidepressants of the SSRI family (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, ect.) had the same effect, which was to "delay" orgasm to the point where most of the time I didn't. Hated it. I had several doctors tell me it was prescribed occasionally for premature ejaculation problems, but I don't know how common that is.

I have never heard of prozac being prescribed for premature ejaculation. That is interesting and would likely work. Problem would be that sometimes no ejaculation (or erection) would occur.

Prozac, and all the anti-depressants in that family, is a serious drug and not a recreational drug. If it is not prescribed for you specifically, you should not be taking it. There are dangers getting started and there are side effects coming off. It must be decreased gradually os really bad stuff could occur.

Read, again, what Bear has posted.

I've actually read that fluoxetine can INCREASE libido in females. Is there anything to that?
I also kinda wonder, mostly out of curiosity, if there are any SSRI's or SNRI's or similar drugs that have different effects on sexual health, due to different reuptake channel subtype binding affinities or something.
I also would like to know if anyone knows anything about the effects of long-term SSRI use in females, and about the effects going off SSRIs (in a controlled manner, under the direction of a psychiatrist) might have.

[quote=Gyre;174715]I've actually read that fluoxetine can INCREASE libido in females. Is there anything to that?
I also kinda wonder, mostly out of curiosity, if there are any SSRI's or SNRI's or similar drugs that have different effects on sexual health, due to different reuptake channel subtype binding affinities or something.
I also would like to know if anyone knows anything about the effects of long-term SSRI use in females, and about the effects going off SSRIs (in a controlled manner, under the direction of a psychiatrist) might have.[/quote]

Do a web search and read about the classes of drugs and side effects, generally observed side effects are also found there. The problem with going off them is the symptoms return, the reason many were put on them to start. This info is left for Doc's for reasons. All drugs have an effect on the body. The question is; does the benefits outweigh the risks?

[QUOTE=Gyre;174715]I also kinda wonder, mostly out of curiosity, if there are any SSRI's or SNRI's or similar drugs that have different effects on sexual health, due to different reuptake channel subtype binding affinities or something.
[/QUOTE]Again, I can only comment from my personal (male) experience. The only antidepressant that I've ever taken that had a positive effect on my sexual performance was Wellbutrin (which I still use). It's in a different class of drug from the SSRI group. It actually increased my libido for awhile, but that effect seems to have leveled off and now it doesn't add or subtract (or maybe I just don't notice it anymore). However, let me make it clear . . . . I've never taken any of these medications for sexual effect, and all have been within a therapy regimen of a physician. We basically had to go through trying them until we found one that worked best for me.

http://www.sexinfo101.com/forum/search.php?searchid=125552

When I did a board search on Prozac... several of the first threads mention that the women used to have a good sex drive...but Prozac killed it.
I am sure it can effect people differently.

[quote=Ephemera;175087]It's a great thing, though. The happiest I've ever felt in my life was today when I took it. But, if the side effects can be that bad, I guess I should probably flush 'em.

Thanks.[/quote]

Flush them, read what Brandye wrote...again. The emphasis on a "self-induced psychosis". If you are feeling poor see your doctor.

Agreed. Don't SELF MEDICATE with antidepressants! If you feel you are clinically depressed DO see a doctor or psychiatrist, though. They can test you for it and help you find a proper med (and therapy, goes hand in hand).

I will admit I find your reaction to taking one Prozac odd, though. If that's the first one you took they usually don't start doing anything for several days or even weeks. But everyone's different.

"Seeking simply to improve your sex life would not be acceptable to responsible physicians to mess with any psychotropics - especially these." ~Brandeye

That is not what I was suggesting... I know just enough about psychopharmacology to know that I definitely shouldn't mess with it. I dunno where you got the idea that that's what I had in mind. I'm mostly just curious.

Gyre - the thread is about someone self-medicating with this stuff. And your question certainly implies use for sexual enhancement in women.

Ephemera, you have yourself in a potentially tough spot. After ten days, depending upon your dosage, you have a therapeutic dose in your system. Have you any idea how to stop without harm?

Go see your doctor; confess your stupidity and get advice on coming down. We talk to these situations entirely too commonly and those who do not get help coming down, need other help later.

Good? Who knows? I do not know your dose; your weight; your metabolism; blood chemistry or anything else. Nor do I wish to know. Just stay away from that stuff.

i was on prozac for awhile and there were times where i wouldnt be able to finish .

What were you taking it for? Depression or for sex reasons?

I cannot imagine prescribing prozac for "sex reasons."