Does Venlor Cause Loss Of Interest In Intercourse And Emotionless Behavior?

Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Answered on

Tue, 7 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Good Morning,

I am currently dating a guy for 2 years, he went through a lot before I met him which caused depression. 6 months ago he started taking Venlor (anti-depressant). It has really taken its toll on our relationship as he has no interest in sex what so ever. Even if I ask for sex he couldn't be bothered.

What I have also noticed in the last 6 months is that he is completely emotionless. He doesn't get angry, sad or even excited. He has one constant flat mood. Even if we fight he wont even say so much as a sentence. He has this "don't care" attitude now but it doesn't seem deliberate. It is as if it is who he is.

Before he started these pills sex was never an issue and when we were happy he was really happy now I get a half smile kind of thing, and when he was upset he would express himself.. now there is nothing.

Don't know if I have explained it correctly. But I don't want to give up on him due to pills that he is taking but I don't know how to handle it anymore. I have brought up the issue over 3 times already and he doesn't even care or acknowledge how it is destroying our relationship. He doesn't seem to understand me and now he just blames the pills.

Do you maybe have some advice for me?

He isn't going to therapy, his last session was when he got the prescription.

I would also like to find out if these Venlor pills can have any possibility of causing him to become sterile (shoot blanks)?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Venlor is likely responsible for loss of interest in sex

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern for your boyfriend and difficult phase of relationship.

According to you, your boyfriend has suffered from depression and improved with venlor. But now he has lost interest in sex and problem of not caring/attentive to you as before.

Yes venlor can cause frequent sexual side effects like decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.As well as depression itself leads to loss of interest in sex as a symptoms of depression.

In his case more possibility is of venlor side effect.

At this point if I were his treating psychiatrist I would like to change medicine to Bupropion(Wellbutrin) after taking history that what he feels about sexual side effects. And I would also like to do CBT- Cognitive behavior therapy to reduce the need of medicine.It can also help to get back to your relationship as before.

You can do one thing. If feasible you can meet his treating doctor and inform his status. Doctor would surely help you in this regards by gethering more information from you about him.

This side effect of venlor is not permanent and it is reversible.And venlor can not make him sterile.It just affects desire and capability of dong sex. No need to worry if you want to move ahead in relationship.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar