FAQ

Does PSSD exist?

Do I have PSSD?

  • I don’t know. At the end of the day, it’s beyond the ability of someone online to tell you for certain whether you have PSSD or not. However, learning more about PSSD might help you get a better idea. There are many factors that could be playing into changes in your sexuality, and there is the chance that none of them have to do with SSRI antidepressants. Make sure that you talk to your doctor about ways to treat underlying mental and sexual health problems. It’s only after these problems have been addressed that you can begin to assess if you have PSSD.

Is there a cure?

  • Nope. It’s a sad reality, but there is so much hope for the future, so staying positive is essential. That being said, there are many success stories, and PSSD is not permanent for many people.

Do you think that there is a cure?

  • I don’t think that there will ever be one thing that will across the board cure all cases of PSSD. There are so many variables, and we all took different drugs at different times in our lives. I do hope, however, that as much suffering can be avoided as possible. We’ve seen multiple treatments reverse PSSD in certain people, and that gives hope that PSSD isn’t permanent, but instead persistent.

I just stopped antidepressants, and am freaking out. What can I do to stop from getting PSSD? Is there anything that I can take?

  • Stress is going to be bad for your sexual function regardless of if you develop PSSD or not. In my experience of talking to many new PSSD sufferers, there might even be benefit from responding calmly. The last thing that will help you is staying up all night on PSSD forums and quickly running to your local health store to stack-up on supplements. In my experience, there is nothing that can prevent PSSD, and nothing that can stop PSSD from continuing if you catch it in the early stages. This lack of control is terrifying, and I address it in a post about dealing with PSSD. I suggest however, that you take some time away from internet stories for a while, and give your body time to heal.

What do you think about supplement X?

  • If it’s not located in this list of What’s Been Tried, then I likely haven’t looked very closely at it. I am very busy with schoolwork, and try to spend my time between the forum, building this site, and researching. I sadly don’t have much time to research new drugs. If you want to research a drug, however, I would be ecstatic if you shared the results of your research with me. It’s how I get a lot of my new leads for research.

Should I take supplement X?

  • I’m not a doctor, so I don’t feel comfortable answering that question. I do feel comfortable with setting up a site and community that promotes sharing of testimonies between sufferers, doctors, and researchers.

I’m new to PSSD, and really want to learn about it. What should I do?

How can I help?

  • This site costs money to run, so donations are very much appreciated (necessary for this work). Also, I am always looking for more help. Do you write? I could use help with that. Do you like research? I would love help with that as well. I’m hoping to pull together an enormous amount of information onto this site, and it takes a lot of time to do so.

Can I take drug/supplement X and Y at the same time?

  • I’m not a doctor or a pharmacist. You’re better off talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Additionally, there are sites online that give good overviews of drug interactions.

Should I quit my other mental health drug X?

  • Another question for your doctor. PSSD is inherently due to SSRIs, so I have little knowledge of other anti-depressants. I know a good amount about pharmacology of some drugs, but questions pertaining to your medications should be saved for your doctor. Staying stable mentally is a first priority.

What dose should I take of drug X?

  • Ask your doctor. I’m not comfortable or qualified to answer this question. Take into account that dosage varies for the route of administration and brand of the drug. If you are basing dosing off of animal studies, note that rodents have different physiology, and therefore pharmacological responses, than humans. All of these factors are very important. Whatever packaging or prescription notes came with the medication or supplement will be able to give much better advice than me.

What tests should I get done?

I took another pharmaceutical medication (non SSRI) and have the same symptoms as PSSD. Is this PSSD?

  • By definition, PSSD is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction, so this isn’t “PSSD”. However, there are a number of conditions that appear similar in nature to PSSD, and that have overlapping successes with different treatments.

 

Case Examples:

PSSD or Asexuality? (SSRI Started at 11 Years of Age)

Is This Permanent? (48 hours after 1 Sertraline pill)

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