Some supplements and medications might affect your ability to feel pleasure. Here are a few examples:

1. SSRI Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac) can lower sex drive and affect overall pleasure sensations¹.

2. Flibanserin (Addyi): Although this medication is intended to boost libido in women, it can have side effects like low blood pressure, drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue, which might overall reduce feelings of pleasure¹.

3. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi): Another medication to boost libido in women, but it can cause side effects like vomiting, flushing, headache, and reaction at the injection site, which might negatively impact the pleasure experience¹.

It's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice, as these effects can vary from person to person.

Footnotes

1. Mayo Clinic - Low sex drive in women: Diagnosis and treatment ↩ ↩² ↩³

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly effective forms of contraception and generally do not directly impact one's ability to feel pleasure. However, there might be some indirect effects depending on the individual and the type of IUD used:

1. Hormonal IUDs: These release progestin, which can sometimes cause side effects such as mood swings or decreased libido in some individuals¹. These effects are not common but can contribute to an overall decrease in pleasure for some users.

2. Copper IUDs: These are non-hormonal and generally do not affect hormone levels, but they can cause heavier menstrual bleeding and cramps, especially in the first few months of use¹. For some, this discomfort might indirectly affect sexual pleasure.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional to understand the potential side effects and find a contraceptive method that works best for you.

Footnotes

1. Mayo Clinic - IUDs ↩ ↩²

Pregnenolone

The information available suggests that pregnenolone's withdrawal symptoms and the overall duration for the body to adjust after stopping are not well-documented specifically because it has not been extensively studied for these particular aspects¹. However, it is known that pregnenolone affects the HPA axis and other neuroendocrine systems, which could conceivably have lingering effects depending on the dosage and duration of use¹. Consulting a healthcare professional for guidance on reducing dosage gradually to mitigate potential withdrawal symptoms might be advisable.

SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine)

SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine) does not typically have significant withdrawal symptoms. It is regarded as having mild and transient side effects² and withdrawal is usually not a major issue. However, discontinuation after long-term use could lead to a return of the symptoms it was managing, such as depression². If there are any symptoms, they may occur within two to four days after stopping and generally last one to two weeks, occasionally persisting up to one year². For individuals who experience significant changes, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended to potentially adjust the discontinuation plan.

Footnotes

1. Verica Milivojevic, "Pregnenolone effects on provoked alcohol craving, anxiety, HPA axis, and autonomic arousal in individuals with alcohol use disorder," PMC, 2024. ↩ ↩²

2. Alessandro Cuomo, "S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in major depressive disorder (MDD): a clinician-oriented systematic review," NCBI, 2020. ↩ ↩² ↩³