How to Have Sex While On Antidepressants

Sex With Emily

Sexuality, Health & Fitness

4.3 • 6.8K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

If you're on antidepressants and your sex drive has completely disappeared, I want you to know that you're not broken, and you don't have to choose between feeling mentally well and having a fulfilling sex life. SSRIs like Lexapro, Zoloft, and Prozac are genuinely life-changing for so many people, but nobody warns you that they can tank your desire, make orgasms nearly impossible, and quietly wreck your relationship in the process. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why this happens, and more importantly, what you can actually do about it. From simple timing hacks to alternative treatments that are showing real promise. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why SSRIs suppress desire and arousal on a hormonal level — and the one hack that can reduce side effects as soon as tonight • How to rebuild your sex drive when both you and your partner are medicated (yes, this is more common than you think) • The alternative treatments — TMS therapy, ketamine, and psilocybin — that are helping people get off antidepressants entirely More Dr. Emily: • Shop With Emily! Explore Emily’s favorite toys, pleasure accessories, bedroom essentials, and more — designed to support your pleasure and confidence. Free shipping on orders $99+ (some exclusions apply). • Join the SmartSX Membership: Access exclusive sex coaching, live expert sessions, community building, and tools to enhance your pleasure and relationships with Dr. Emily Morse. • Interested in 1:1 Coaching with Emily? Go to sexwithemily.com/coaching to apply! • Sex With Emily Guides: Explore pleasure, deepen connections, and enhance intimacy using these Sex With Emily downloadable guides. • The only sex book you’ll ever need: Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure • Want more? Visit the Sex With Emily Website • Let’s get social: Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok | Threads | YouTube • Let’s text: Sign up here • Want me to slide into your email inbox? Sign Up Here for sex tips on the regular. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Sarah's Story: The SSRI Sex Drive Dilemma 3:50 - Why SSRIs Kill Your Libido (The Science) 6:50 - How Common Is This? Depression & Sex Stats 14:00 - Side Effects Breakdown: Vulva vs. Penis Owners 15:50 - Practical Hacks: Timing, Alcohol & Cannabis 20:53 - Alternative Treatments: TMS, Ketamine & Psychedelics 25:31 - Both Partners on SSRIs? How to Rebuild Intimacy 31:58 - The 36 Questions Study That Reignites Closeness 33:37 - Perimenopause, Hormones & Anti-Depressants at 48 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I don't think that you're going to find a brighter, shinier person out there that's going to help you want to have sex again in a way that you want to be having sex because you still love your partner, right?
0:13.1	What might be interesting is to find your desire style. What do you need to feel aroused and in the mood?
0:20.6	You're listening to Sex with Emily.
0:22.9	I'm Dr. Emily, and I'm here to help you prioritize your pleasure and liberate the conversation around sex.
0:30.6	Let's talk mental health and sexual desire.
0:34.9	Do you really have to choose between one or the other?
0:39.2	While antidepressants like Lexapro can be life-saving, all too often, they deflate our sex drive. But conversely, it's
0:46.9	hard to get aroused if your depression goes untreated. So is there any way out of this predicament?
0:54.0	Like, you have to be really depressed and not one sex or you take a pill and you feel better, but then you have a side effect.
1:01.2	What to do?
1:02.1	Well, on today's show, I'll answer how to overcome this struggle that is way more common than you think.
1:08.1	You'll hear from some of our listeners.
1:10.2	And I'll also share
1:11.4	alternative treatments to hacks around timing and dosage. I'll help you keep pleasure in
1:17.3	your life without compromising your mental health. We can have really strong mental health
1:23.7	and a lot of pleasure, promise. Please rate and review sex with Emily wherever you listen
1:28.7	to the show. It really helps us get the show out to more people. So whatever platform you're
1:32.8	listening on, review the show. Give us five stars. Say something nice. Check out my YouTube channel,
1:37.6	social media, and TikTok. It's all at Sex With Emily for more sex tips and advice. If you want to ask me questions, leave me your questions or message me at Sex With Emily for more sex tips and advice. If you want to ask me questions, leave me your questions or message me at sex withemly.com
1:49.1	slash ask Emily.
1:50.6	Or call my hotline 559 Talk Sex or 559-825-5739.
1:58.0	Just include your name, your age, where you live, and how you listen to the show.
	...

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