search the bank: details

a 35 year old male asked the following question:

Question
I haven't been able to make love for weeks. How can I improve my sexual life? I am taking amitriptyline every night for depression.

Answer
Depression can affect us in many ways, as can prescribed medication. Loss of sex-drive is not unusual for someone suffering from depression. Amitriptyline hydrochloride is known to interfere with sexual function for some people. So it is possible that your problem is caused by your depression, your medication, or both. Of course there may be another reason altogether.

The following link goes to a page about medicines and sex life on the NetDoctor website. The article does mention amitriptyline.

www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/Feature/medicinessex.htm

If you have any concerns as to how your medication might be affecting you, it would probably be best to discuss this with your GP, or whoever prescribes it. Whatever the reason for you not making love, it is important not to put yourself under a lot of pressure to perform. It might help to approach having sex in a different way. I'm sure you are aware that sex isn't just about intercourse. One idea would be to spend time being intimate with your partner without having penetrative sex. This might help you to relax and simply enjoy being in their company. Could you discuss this with them?

The following website has lots of sexual tips and advice on relationships:

Sexual Health infoCenter
webs8.sexhealth.org
Award-winning Canadian site with good information on all aspects of sexual health and sexuality.

The mind magazine on our site has an article about depression, which you might find interesting. The article also has contact details for organisations that help people with depression. If you would like to read it just click here.

I hope this has helped.

question number 13295

OK!