anorgasmia and insomnia from Stribild, Complera, or Truvada ???

[witch]

Has anyone else experienced anorgasmia or insomnia from Stribild, Complera, or Truvada and how did you resolve the problem?

I was on Stribild for 4 months and the only side effects I had from it were insomnia (can't fall into a deep sleep) and anorgasmia (have nice erection but have trouble reaching orgasm). Two weeks ago, I switched to Complera, hoping to shake off the two side effects but they are still there.

The anorgasmia is partial. It consists of not feeling the usual pleasure when rubbing my penis. The pleasure eventually turns on but only 5 seconds before the orgasm. I had to fake orgasm a few times because I could not get there.

This happens with sexy partners and when I masturbate watching porn so I don't think the problem is psychological. Also, I was able to alleviate the problem by taking L-Histidine (converts to histamine which is necessary in the body for orgasm) 1 hour before masturbation and then I was able to feel some pleasure when masturbating, long before the orgasm. That partial reversal of the side effect seems to show that the problem is bio-chemical, not psychological.

Since I experience the partial anorgasmia from both Stribild and Complera, I think it should be caused by the common part of the two drugs which is known as Truvada (tenofovir and emtricitabine).

[jkinatl2]

Has anyone else experienced anorgasmia or insomnia from Stribild, Complera, or Truvada and how did you resolve the problem?

I was on Stribild for 4 months and the only side effects I had from it were insomnia (can't fall into a deep sleep) and anorgasmia (have nice erection but have trouble reaching orgasm). Two weeks ago, I switched to Complera, hoping to shake off the two side effects but they are still there.

The anorgasmia is partial. It consists of not feeling the usual pleasure when rubbing my penis. The pleasure eventually turns on but only 5 seconds before the orgasm. I had to fake orgasm a few times because I could not get there.

This happens with sexy partners and when I masturbate watching porn so I don't think the problem is psychological. Also, I was able to alleviate the problem by taking L-Histidine (converts to histamine which is necessary in the body for orgasm) 1 hour before masturbation and then I was able to feel some pleasure when masturbating, long before the orgasm. That partial reversal of the side effect seems to show that the problem is bio-chemical, not psychological.

Since I experience the partial anorgasmia from both Stribild and Complera, I think it should be caused by the common part of the two drugs which is known as Truvada (tenofovir and emtricitabine).

Hello! Welcome to the forums!

Have you discussed this with your doctor? Perhaps finding another regimen that doesn't use the drugs in Trivada would help? I know it might make a bigger pill-per-day burden, but it looks like you might want to try anything at this point.

I know drugs like Cialis and Voagra can cause erections, but can also reduce sensation and make orgasm difficult (and extremely frustrating) to achieve.

Please let us know what you try, and what impact it has. I imagine many more people have issues like this than post about it, and I am glad you did. Human sexuality is a very important thing to many (I daresay most) people, and the loss of part of that function is decidedly a quality of life issue.

[ad2san]

Hello with and welcome to the forum.

You don't take any medication against depression?

Otherwise I agree with jkinatl2 and you should address the topic to your doc.


Cheers

[witch]

My Dr knows about all that. Unfortunately, most Dr don't know how to treat anorgasmia, which is the most common side effect of taking anti-depressants.

I used to take SSRI antidepressants in the past and they cause exactly the same chemical anorgasmia, that's why I do not take them anymore. My Psychiatrist Dr. could not suggest anything to alleviate it, except Viagra but Viagra does not resolve it. Viagra is more about erection not about reaching orgasm, although it may accelerate orgasm if all the required chemicals are in the body (that's my experience with Viagra when I didn't have anorgasmia).

The anorgasmia and insomnia started when I started taking Stribild so I am very sure it is causing it. I didn't have such problems before it. I already see some reports on here about Stribild causing insomnia so I am not imagining at least that part. Also, the anorgasmia is happening with or without Viagra so Viagra isn't causing it either.

I am asking if someone has experienced the same side effects from anti-hiv drugs before and how they were resolved? Perhaps by switching to some magical anti-hiv combo or by taking supplements/herbs/drugs?

[weasel]

  Hi Witch ,
                    Nice to meet you 

  Not sure about anything but the Truvada ,  I do not sleep without taking
 Trazadone .  I can go for a few days with little or no sleep . I prefer to take sleeping pills than being spacey .

   As for   anorgasmia ,   I have experienced   none with HIV drugs .

                                                                  Weasel
 

   

[mikeyb39]

I haven't heard of any anorgasmia issues with HIV medication, but with antidepressants hell yeah.  I took Effexor for a short period of time and suffered that, it was very freaky.  Needless to say I dropped that after about 3 weeks.

I will tell my little story about Effexor.  I went for two weeks with zero sexual desire at all, no erections.  One evening I decided to force myself to masterbate, it took about 30mins and all of a sudden I ejaculated and didn't even know I had done it.  scared the hell out of me.  stopped those pills that evening.

I know  TMI.

[oksikoko]

I know  TMI.

Pics or it didn't happen.