Dan’s Story

Dan

Age 42

USA

Mild PSSD for ~4 years, severe for 3 months after re-prescription

I began taking sertraline in 2008 at the age of 29. It worked really well for me and I did not experience any issues with sexual functioning at the time, but looking back now I believe it did hurt my libido as I remember my girlfriend complaining that I seemed disinterested in sex.

I stayed on the drugs for about 5 years. Then I decided I wanted out and went off. It was a major struggle getting off and I ended up going back on a few times before I was successful. My sex drive returned and things seemed normal again, although I suspect now that I may have lost a little.

5 years later, a very tough life challenge confronted me and I ran back to sertaline knowing that it had worked for anxiety before.

My brain instantly recognized the drug, like an old friend, and I felt better. However, it gave me erection issues and delayed orgasm and I went off of it about a year later. Again, my functioning improved but I don't think it returned entirely to normal.

During this last stretch I was told by 3 doctors that sertraline doesn't create ED issues even on the drug, just diminished libido and delayed orgasm.

A urologist, psychiatrist, and PCP all had nonchalant attitudes about the drug. Everything returns to normal they all said. Any erection issues is because of aging or something else - I was late 30s and early 40s during this time period!

Insanely, after a year off of sertraline, and what I felt was a near normal, but definitely less, sexual functioning, I went back on for 6 weeks at 12.5 mg, half of the lowest prescribed dose. I thought a dose that low would just take the edge off and was low risk for side effects. Boy, was I wrong.

I have never been the same. I soon learned about PSSD from the internet, not a doctor. It all makes sense now.

Both my Psychiatrist and PCP suggested I go back on drugs when I told them I had genital numbness, loss of libido, loss of attraction to my girlfriend, and ED issues.
They tried to tell me this doesn't happen and that it must be anxiety! I went on these drugs because of anxiety and had sexual functioning before, so for anxiety to now cause dysfunction makes no sense. I know my body.

It's the drugs.

I want awareness for the public and acknowledgement from doctors and the pharmaceutical companies.
I want a cure and I want it now.
We've been lied to, marginalized, and we deserve our lives back.
This is not our fault. It is the fault of those we thought we could trust.
Now we need their help to find a cure and to stop prescribing these to people without properly informing them.