Anyone Tried Wellbutrin to Increase Sex Drive?

[kinggg]

My neuro prescribed me wellbutrin (bupropion) in order to address issues with low libido. In a trial its been tested on subjects who had low libido and ED and found to their satisfaction that it increased their libido and number of erections. Has anyone been prescribed this med and if so share your experiences with it pertaining to libido. Thanks.

[Al1962]

I'm not a Dr. My experience.
I have taken Wellbutrin since 2012 for depression and anxiety. At first it seemed to help with libido/function as it took the "edge" off my symptoms. I still take it and for me it helps me be as normal feeling as possible with the least amount of side affects. I started to notice some signs of lower libido about 2014 and signs of early ED about 2016. About 2018 I was dealing with way more anxiety and was prescribed Fluoxetine. My libido crashed and more extreme ED symptoms appeared. I then read more about this side affect of Fluoxetine and how it may be permanent in some. I stopped Fluoxetine for awhile but needed something and was prescribed Escitalopram. It helps my anxiety. My libido and ED has not improved but it is not any worse.
Short answer: for me it helped at least at first.

[Old Guy]

Took Wellbutrin like 20 years ago to stop smoking. Made me goofy, my mind was not working right.
Heading to a friends house one night, brother in passenger seat. I got lost, brother had to give me turn by turn directions. That's the day I stopped taking it.
As far a sex drive, no difference but then I've always been highly sexual.

[steamfitter]

Usually medications for depression and anxiety increase ED/low libido, not increase sex drive.

[Sharpes]

I take 300mg a day for depression/anxiety. Never helped with my ED, Libido isn't an issue, so don't know about that...

[Al1962]

Libido had nothing to do with my being prescribed Wellbutrin or continuing. I still take it because it helps me feel more "normal" and has less side effects than other meds. It is the only depression medication that has been proven to help libido in some peoples. Fluoxetine and some other meds often mess with or destroy libido. Fluoxetine has also shown irreversible effects in some people. I quit it over a year ago. I told my Dr. it worked but I was not ready to stop being a sexual being. Depression and anxiety meds are serious. Depression and anxiety are insidious.

[MARKOS2018]

I was on Paxil for depression and perhaps any similar meds would depress sexual drive. Told the doctor and he prescribed Wellbutrin, which he said would make me feel better.

Yes it was a lot better for me on Wellbutrin rather then Paxil.

[AmansinCali]

I have been on bupropion for around 10 years so it has been awhile since I have studied it. I am on it for mild depression and it allows me to concentrate on the things I do and I get a lot more done. Asked my Dr. a few years ago if I could get off of it because what was depressing me no longer had an affect on me, he advised against stopping. One thing about bupropion is don't go off of it on your own, you have to taper off of it under the care of a doctor because sudden withdrawal can cause seizures.

If I remember correctly, the bupropion has a greater affect on a woman's libido than a man's.

[Anonymous FT Member]

I don't think it ever helped me that way, but I may end up revisiting this old drug. Not really looking forward to it.

[GoodWood]

Although my libido is good I’ve always taken a while to orgasm. In my youth this seemed great, cuz I could last a long time and that seemed desirable.
As I’ve gotten older that “last a long time” has advanced to the point that I have difficultly reaching orgasm without sustained, intense stimulation. My husband often wears out before I get there.

My ED physician (Dr Werner at Maze) prescribed Wellbutrin specifically to decrease threshold to orgasm. I believe it has had a subtle improvement there. But I’ve noticed a bigger effect in mood. Although I’ve never thought of myself as depressive or anxious, Wellbutrin gives me a little extra spring in my step. I’m not sure how else to describe it. Just a bit more energy with no side effects.

My libido is high and my ED is stable. Possibly a slight improvement there as well. So I’ve remained on it. I started at 150, then 300, and finally 450mg sustained release per day.

So as you can see, there are a variety of responses to Wellbutrin. Talk with your doctor about it. See what they say.