My partner suffers from despression

[grtcw24]

I hope this doesn't come across as selfish, 2 years ago I met my now fiancee and mother to my 6 month old son.   When we met we had a fantastic sex life and she explained her bipolar condition and how the medication reduces her sex drive to zero sometimes.   During her pregnancy the doctors told us that she would likely to suffer from post natal depression - she didn't, but as a result we missed the early signs of her slipping into deep depression.

After the birth of our son, our sex life resumed.  I'm now doing more and more every week coping with a 6 month old and my fiancee who just "isn't there" any more.  

It's destroying me, I don't know what to do or say, everytime we talk about it she says its the medication - AND, the worst this is that I know.   As I said, I don't want this to be selfish - but, I ask her for a cuddle / hug but there is nothing there.


I know I've got to keep going... But what do other people do?

[Jaybay]

I understand wellbutrin is one depression medication that does not hamper sex drive.  It's certainly worth talking to your doctor about changing meds - there are a ton of choices available now.

[iam1butterfly]

A few years back, I dated a man who was on Prozac, a commonly prescribed medication to treat Depression. According to him, it helped him sleep; but, it was hindering his sex drive and his ability to perform sexually. He opted to go off the medication since his inability to function sexually was causing him even more Depression. Have you and your fiancee discussed the possibility of having that medication changed? It may or may not work; but it's certainly worth consideration.

[RockRose]

I'm not sure why you don't think this is postnatal depression.  

It doesn't begin immediately after the birth of the child,  but usually around 4-6 months after the baby is born.