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Birmingham Today
By the People, for the People
Man Struggles with SSRI-Induced Sexual Dysfunction
Antidepressants have numbed his penis, but coming off them risks depression and withdrawal
Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:00pm
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A 29-year-old man has been dealing with genital numbness and delayed orgasms for nearly a decade since starting antidepressant medication. He describes the difficult tradeoff between managing his depression and maintaining a healthy sex life, as well as the potential long-term consequences of SSRI withdrawal, including a rare condition called Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) that can persist for years.
Why it matters
This story highlights the significant and often underreported sexual side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. It sheds light on the difficult choices patients face in balancing mental health treatment with sexual function, as well as the lack of awareness and research around persistent sexual dysfunction that can occur even after stopping SSRI use.
The details
The author, Kyle Macneill, first experienced genital numbness and delayed orgasms after starting the SSRI citalopram at age 19 to treat depression. Over the years, he has tried various strategies to manage the sexual side effects, including "drug holidays" to temporarily reduce the SSRI levels, as well as focusing on other forms of intimacy. However, he continues to struggle with a near-complete lack of sensation in his penis during sex. The story also explores the emerging condition of Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), where sexual dysfunction persists for months or years after stopping SSRI use, which the author fears he may be at risk of.
- In February 2016, Macneill first experienced genital numbness after taking his second dose of citalopram.
- In July 2025, Macneill started taking a new SSRI, escitalopram, after previously coming off citalopram in 2024.
- In late January 2026, Macneill visited a psychiatrist to discuss his SSRI use and sexual side effects.
The players
Kyle Macneill
A 29-year-old man who has been taking SSRIs for depression for the past 10 years and is struggling with persistent genital numbness and delayed orgasms as a result.
Dr. David Healy
A prolific SSRI researcher who believes the true rate of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction is much higher than the 5% statistic often cited by doctors.
Stephen
A 40-year-old filmmaker who developed persistent sexual dysfunction, known as Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD), after stopping his SSRI medication.
Sean
A 25-year-old who developed PSSD after taking just a single dose of an SSRI medication.
What they’re saying
“The reality is, it's closer to 100 percent,”
— Dr. David Healy, SSRI researcher
“My life has been completely destroyed. I'm basically disabled.”
— Stephen
“It literally feels like someone else's penis.”
— Sean
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the significant and often underappreciated sexual side effects of SSRI antidepressants, which can have a profound impact on patients' quality of life. It also raises concerns about the potential for persistent sexual dysfunction even after stopping SSRI use, underscoring the need for more research and awareness around this issue.
