WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1998: Re: Antidepressants, HRT, and low sex drive

Re: Antidepressants, HRT, and low sex drive

From: Kelly (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 7 Jan 1998 20:30:44 -0600 (CST)

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In reply to: monica: "Antidepressants, HRT, and low sex drive"

At Wed, 7 Jan 1998, monica wrote: >
>I have been taking Elavil for about ten years and will likely continue
>indefinitely. I also began taking HRT (both estrogen and progesteron)
>for about two years. I began taking it because of abnormal and heavy
>bleeding and I am now not having any periods and am very happy with my
>greatly improved quality of life since I began taking them. What has
>bothered me for so long and is seemingly worse since beginning the HRT
>is the total loss of libito. I never even think about sex! I have a
>wonderful husband who is a very unselfish lover and truely cares about
>making me feel sexual and satisfy me in any way he can. I still have
>orgasims and we continue to have sex about twice a week. But I just
>don't care about it and I want to fix that. Is there any hope that I
>can resolve this problem while continuing to take both an antidepressant
>and HRT? I will be seeing my doctor in a few weeks and will, of course,
>discuss this will him but I'd like some expertise from the forum. Oh, I
>did try male hormones to no avail. Thanks for your help.

Antidepressants can certainly contribute to a decreased sex drive, as can depression itself. Menopause -- and aging, which go hand in hand-- is often associated with a lower sex drive. Testosterone often helps, but unfortunately, didn't in your case. The HRT in and of itself shouldn't cause you sex drive to go kaput, but maybe a change in type of HRT could be tried. Often, sex drive has more to do with life (stress, worries, annoyances with your spouse, work, being fatigued) than with hormones alone. Think about those issues and definitely bring this up at your appointment.

--
Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
S. Lake Tahoe, CA

note: Opinions here are for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your own physician. It cannot take the place of a face to face consultation and examination.
Sorry, but private e-mails will not be answered.

Next message: Kelly: "Re: Proper patient management"
Previous message: Kristin: "breast size"
In reply to: monica: "Antidepressants, HRT, and low sex drive"

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