Bipolar and Sex

My sex life is pretty much gone. I don't feel the urge to have sex anymore, except during a manic episode or when I am drunk, this includes masterbating. This is causing some problems in my marriage, I find my wife extremely attractive but I am lacking the desire to do anything about it.

Back when I was still doing illeagal drugs I didn't have a problem with it, but since I stopped that, my sex drive went straight down hill. I don't want to resort to taking medication to help sort the problem out, but I am starting to run out of options. I have read a lot of research and articles on the subject but nothing seems to stir my desires.

When I was younger and doing drugs, I would have sex at least 3 to 4 times a day and then masterbate at least 2 more times. I don't want to do that again, but I would like to have sex at least once a week, so far this year it has only been 3 times, and usually when I am drinking or in a manic episode.

I need help from other people with bipolar to see if you have experienced a similar thing and how you have gotten past it.

Mm yeah I have a similar issue with sex - I even feel disgusted by it sometimes when depressed or "balanced". My pills make me a bit devoid of personality sometimes and sort of zombie-like. I'm super-interested when manic though, like you.

I recommend starting off by working on remembering to kiss your wife more often, and build up what you do over time without pressuring yourself to seal the deal, so to speak, so it's not a big deal. Do something every day - just kissing or hugging even - so it becomes normality for you.

When I was on risperdal for a few weeks my libido dropped to absolute zero, same as you describe. Then when I stopped with the medication -- I told my doc I just refuse to take something with those side effects -- libido returned to normal levels.