Bupropion for Sexual Side Effects: What You Need to Know

When bupropion, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor used to treat depression and aid smoking cessation. Also known as Wellbutrin, it is one of the few antidepressants that doesn’t crush your sex drive—sometimes, it even helps bring it back. While most SSRIs like sertraline or fluoxetine cause low libido, trouble reaching orgasm, or reduced arousal, bupropion works differently. It doesn’t flood your brain with serotonin. Instead, it boosts dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals tied to motivation, pleasure, and sexual response. That’s why people switching from other antidepressants often report better sexual function after moving to bupropion.

This isn’t just anecdotal. A 2018 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that patients on bupropion had significantly fewer sexual side effects than those on SSRIs, and many even saw improvements in sexual desire. It’s especially helpful for women who develop low libido after starting an SSRI, and for men who struggle with delayed ejaculation. Doctors sometimes add bupropion to an existing SSRI regimen—not to replace it, but to counteract the sexual side effects. This combo approach, called augmentation, works for about 60% of people who try it. It’s not magic, but it’s one of the few real solutions in a field full of dead ends.

But bupropion isn’t perfect. It can cause insomnia, dry mouth, or headaches. And if you have a seizure disorder or an eating disorder, it’s not safe for you. It also doesn’t work for everyone—some people feel no change in their sex life at all. Still, when compared to other options like adding sildenafil or switching entirely to another class of antidepressants, bupropion stands out because it treats depression and sexual dysfunction at the same time. It’s not a quick fix, but for many, it’s the most practical one.

Related to this are the broader issues around SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. Also known as serotonin-enhancing drugs, they are the go-to for depression, anxiety, and OCD—but their sexual side effects are so common, they’re almost expected. And then there’s libido, the natural drive for sexual activity, often reduced by psychiatric medications, which gets overlooked in routine checkups. Most doctors don’t ask about it unless the patient brings it up. But if you’re on an antidepressant and your sex life has changed, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Bupropion might be the key to getting back what you lost.

Below, you’ll find real-world insights from people who’ve tried bupropion for sexual side effects, along with comparisons to other treatments, dosage tips, and what to expect when switching meds. No fluff. Just what works—and what doesn’t.