When it comes to bupropion for sexual dysfunction, a non-SSRI antidepressant known for not suppressing libido. Also known as Wellbutrin, it’s one of the few antidepressants that doesn’t kill sexual desire — and in some cases, actually improves it. Most antidepressants, especially SSRIs like sertraline or fluoxetine, cause sexual side effects: low libido, trouble getting aroused, delayed or absent orgasm. These aren’t just inconvenient — they’re a major reason people stop taking their meds. But bupropion? It works differently. It targets dopamine and norepinephrine, not serotonin. That small difference makes it a go-to for people who need depression treatment without losing their sex drive.
That’s why doctors sometimes prescribe bupropion instead of SSRIs for people with depression and sexual dysfunction. Or, they add it to an SSRI to counteract the side effects — a practice called augmentation. A 2015 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that adding bupropion to an SSRI improved sexual function in over 60% of women and 55% of men. It’s not magic, but it’s one of the few real options. And it’s not just for depression. Some people take it off-label for low libido caused by stress, aging, or even birth control. The key is: it helps when the problem is chemical, not emotional or relational.
But bupropion isn’t a cure-all. It doesn’t fix performance anxiety, relationship issues, or low testosterone. And it can cause side effects of its own — dry mouth, insomnia, or in rare cases, seizures. It’s also not safe for people with eating disorders or a history of seizures. If you’re thinking about switching or adding it, talk to your doctor. Get your blood pressure checked. Review your full medication list. Some drugs, like certain antipsychotics or opioids, can still block sexual response even if you’re on bupropion.
What you’ll find below are real-world insights from people who’ve tried bupropion for sexual dysfunction — and the alternatives that actually worked. We’ve pulled posts that dig into how antidepressants affect libido, what other meds can help, and how to tell if your sexual issues are from the drug or something else. You’ll also see how other medications — like SSRIs and NSAIDs — can make things worse, and what safe swaps exist. This isn’t theory. It’s what people are using, and what’s working in practice.
