Register to join our community
|
|
Question:
Can M.S. and depression affect a woman's ability to have an orgasm? If so, can anything be done to improve that ability?
|
Answer:
by Annette Owens: (05/24/2004)
In your case your difficulties with reaching orgasm could be related to
1. Having multiple sclerosis
2. Depression
3. Medications
1) Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The myelin sheets that normally surround and insulate nerves in the central nervous system become defective, preventing normal nerve function. Depending on the area of the brain or spinal cord involved, cognitive, motor, as well as sensory dysfunctions may occur. Therefore, sexual functions including the ability to reach orgasm can also be altered in men and women with MS. Many couples continue to have a satisfying sex life after developing MS. Having MS does not necessarily imply sexual problems. Moreover, the disease does not always cause sexual problems. Good communication and teamwork between you and your partner are important. You can read more about MS and sexuality in my article at the following link http://www.cvillewellness.com/multiple%20sclerosis.htm .
2) Depression usually affects sexual desire more than the ability to reach orgasm.
3) You are taking Avonex and Baclofen for MS, and Prozac and Depakote for manic depression. It is possible that Prozac (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI) is causing your difficulties with orgasm. Reduced ability to achieve orgasm is a possible side effect of SSRI's. Is there any timely relation between the onset of your difficulties with reaching orgasm and taking Prozac? If so, I would suggest discussing the possibility of switching to for example Celexa with your prescribing physician. I have seen some women's ability to reach orgasm improve by switching from Prozac to Celexa, but this of course is no guarantee that it will also apply to you. Never change the dose or type of medication without your doctor's consent!
Your other medications are fine and are not known to affect sexual function in any negative way. A good resource book for reading about various medications' sexual side effects is Sexual Pharmacology. Drugs That Affect Sexual Function by Crenshaw & Goldberg (1996), ISBN: 0-393-70144-1.
Sincerely,
Annette Owens, MD PhD
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
|
This question appears in the following topics:
|
|
|
|
