Antidepressants - where do they fit in with peyronies

[DaneS89]

An open question to anyone reading this and comfortable enough to answer - do any of you here agonise and obsess about the (possible) sexual side effects of antidepressant medications, especially within the context of peyronies disease? That is if you take them of course, and if so, I'd be curious to know, were you on them already or did they enter the scene post-peyronies to help manage the emotional toll of the condition? Do you deem them as a 'necessary evil' of sorts? Or if you don't take them but could benefit from them, is the refusal based on an unwillingness to take any risks when it comes to sexual function?

For me personally, I am plagued by these questions and doubts. Stop them, switch them, leave them unchanged?  I have become fascinated with 'researching' the pharmacological profiles and actions of all the different antidepessant meds and how they might affect sexual functioning. There doesn't seem to be a perfectly 'pro-sexual' antidepressant drug out there except for maybe Trazadone which isn't available here. The two that I have settled on are known to be fairly 'safe' options with regards to preserving male sexual function, and one of them is even reported to enhance it. I'm probably alone in having this particular interest, but if on the rare chance I'm not it'd be cool to discuss this more in depth.

[Mikel7]

I believe that Trazadone is the drug of choice with few sexual side effects. If you are having success with your current drug then is it just the worrying that is causing you second thoughts? Remember that anxiety and worrisome thoughts can do a lot of damage regarding your sexual functioning.

[DaneS89]

I do worry a lot...I am an anxious person by nature...but peyronies has made me extremely risk averse. The way it struck out of nowhere and changed my life so drastically. It's registered in my brain as some sort of trauma. It forced me to change so many things in my life, so it was only a matter of time that my attention turned to this. But I think they have to stay, for my mental health. Trazadone would be a pretty perfect fit for me and my selective concerns - very favourable side effect profile - but we can't access it here. It's only available as a vetinary medicine for whatever bizarre reason lol. You're right about the effect that anxiety itself can have on sexual functioning. Why worry so much about rare and unlikely side effects of meds if the symptoms of untreated mental health issues are worse. On balance they are a benefit. Need to remind myself of that.  

[Hawk]

Welbutrin is considered to have a very low incidence of negative sexual side effects.

[DaneS89]

Yes Hawk, Wellbutrin is a good one. That's actually one of the two I'm on, at a low dosage. It goes by a different name here and is used almost exclusively for smoking cessation, but it can be precribed off-label on a private script. Just very expensive to obtain it that way. Worth it though. It is a rather...activating...sort of antidepressant, which is good for me and what I need.

[EthanS]

An open question to anyone reading this and comfortable enough to answer - do any of you here agonise and obsess about the (possible) sexual side effects of antidepressant medications, especially within the context of peyronies disease? That is if you take them of course, and if so, I'd be curious to know, were you on them already or did they enter the scene post-peyronies to help manage the emotional toll of the condition? Do you deem them as a 'necessary evil' of sorts? Or if you don't take them but could benefit from them, is the refusal based on an unwillingness to take any risks when it comes to sexual function?

For me personally, I am plagued by these questions and doubts. Stop them, switch them, leave them unchanged?  I have become fascinated with 'researching' the pharmacological profiles and actions of all the different antidepessant meds and how they might affect sexual functioning. There doesn't seem to be a perfectly 'pro-sexual' antidepressant drug out there except for maybe Trazadone which isn't available here. The two that I have settled on are known to be fairly 'safe' options with regards to preserving male sexual function, and one of them is even reported to enhance it. I'm probably alone in having this particular interest, but if on the rare chance I'm not it'd be cool to discuss this more in depth.

Researching the pharmacological profiles of antidepressants is a proactive approach, and it's commendable that you're taking an active role in your healthcare decisions. While there may not be a perfect "pro-sexual" antidepressant, finding one that is known to have fewer sexual side effects or even potentially enhance sexual function, like the options you've mentioned, can be a step in the right direction.

Ultimately, the decision to start, stop, or switch antidepressant medications should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional who can weigh the potential benefits and risks based on your individual circumstances and needs. You're definitely not alone in grappling with these questions, and seeking support and information is a positive step towards finding the best solution for you.