DeepSummary
The episode discusses the relationship between mental health and sexual desire, particularly the impact of antidepressants like Lexapro on sex drive. It explains that while antidepressants can be lifesaving for treating depression and anxiety, they often deflate sexual desire as a side effect. This leaves many people struggling to choose between prioritizing their mental health or maintaining their sex life.
The host, Dr. Emily Morse, offers strategies for managing this conundrum, including understanding the effects of mental health on sex drive, timing medication doses, trying alternative treatments like therapy or supplements, and intentionally cultivating desire through activities like masturbation or emotional intimacy exercises. Listeners share their experiences grappling with this issue.
The episode also explores emerging treatments like TMS therapy, hallucinogens, and hormone replacement therapy as potential solutions for those struggling with low libido due to antidepressants or hormonal changes. The overall message is that with some effort and experimentation, it is possible to address mental health needs while still maintaining a fulfilling sex life.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Antidepressants like SSRIs can diminish sexual desire, arousal, and ability to orgasm as common side effects.
- People don't have to choose between mental health treatment and a satisfying sex life - with effort, both can coexist.
- Building emotional intimacy through communication exercises can increase physical intimacy for couples.
- Masturbation, sex toys, mindfulness, and timing medication doses can help offset antidepressant-induced low libido.
- Alternative treatments like TMS therapy, hallucinogens, hormone therapy may benefit some with medication side effects.
- Healthy lifestyle factors like exercise, nutrition and stress reduction support overall sexual wellbeing.
- An individual's arousal style and needs should inform strategies for boosting desire and pleasure.
- Consulting doctors and being one's own health advocate is important for managing sexual side effects.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If you can do little things to push yourself and to keep going, like with masturbation or toys, start getting you in the mood to get you going, I think you're going to find that your orgasm is going to come back. Maybe it'll even come back stronger.“ by Emily Morse
- “The side effects of SSRI's tend to subside over time. They're really intense in the beginning, but for many people, after a few months, they can subside. And a lot of it is mental, too.“ by Emily Morse
- “Emotional intimacy is a prerequisite for physical intimacy for many, many couples.“ by Emily Morse
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Episode Information
Sex With Emily
Dr. Emily Morse
4/2/24