Calling on Canadian PSSD suffers. Have you reported PSSD to Health Canada's adverse database? If not please do and use the PSSD offical MedDra code 10086208

Genital numbing (often described as genital anesthesia or a severe loss of tactile sensitivity) is one of the most distressing and common sexual side effects of SSRIs. It is also a core symptom of Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) for those whose symptoms persist after stopping the medication.

While scientists are still mapping out the exact biological chain reaction, research points to a few distinct mechanisms that explain why SSRIs cause this physical numbing.

1. The "Local Anesthetic" Effect on Nerves

One of the most direct causes of genital numbing is that SSRIs can literally act as mild local anesthetics on peripheral nerves.

• Ion Channel Blocking: To feel a physical sensation, sensory nerves in the genitals must send an electrical pulse to the brain. They do this by opening specific "gates" called sodium and calcium ion channels. Research shows that SSRIs can physically bind to and block these channels in sensory nerves.
• The Result: The nerve struggles to fire. The physical touch occurs, but the electrical signal never makes it from the pelvis to the brain. (Interestingly, this exact numbing effect is why doctors sometimes prescribe SSRIs off-label to treat premature ejaculation).

2. The Serotonin vs. Dopamine Tug-of-War

Sexual arousal, desire, and sensitivity are largely driven by a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Serotonin and dopamine have an inverse, "see-saw" relationship in certain parts of the brain.

• When an SSRI floods the brain with serotonin, it heavily stimulates serotonin receptors in the hypothalamus (the brain area that controls sexual function).
• This intense serotonin activity acts like a brake pedal on dopamine production and release.
• With dopamine severely suppressed, the brain's "reward and pleasure" response to sexual stimuli is blunted, making tactile sensations feel muted or completely disconnected.

3. Spinal Cord Interference

Serotonin doesn't just live in the brain; it is heavily involved in the spinal cord, which acts as the superhighway for sensory information traveling from the genitals.

• Certain serotonin receptors in the spinal cord (specifically the 5-HT2C and 5-HT3 receptors) are inhibitory.
• When SSRIs overstimulate these specific receptors in the lower spine, they essentially set up a roadblock. They inhibit the reflex pathways that control genital engorgement, lubrication, and the transmission of sensory touch from the pudendal nerve (the main nerve supplying the genitals).

4. Reduction of Nitric Oxide

Physical sensitivity and sexual arousal rely heavily on blood flow. The body dilates blood vessels in the pelvic region using a chemical called nitric oxide (NO).

• Research has shown that chronic use of SSRIs can inhibit the enzyme (Nitric Oxide Synthase) responsible for creating nitric oxide.
• Without enough nitric oxide, micro-blood flow to the genital tissues is restricted. Tissues that are not fully engorged lose their sensitivity to friction and touch.

Summary

Genital numbing from SSRIs is not "all in your head" or just a byproduct of low mood. It is a physiological reaction caused by the drug interfering with nerve signals at three different levels: blocking sodium channels in the actual genital nerves, disrupting blood flow via nitric oxide reduction, and suppressing the brain's dopamine-driven pleasure centers.

Ok, Im freaking out here. As I was preparing my taxes for this year and claiming some crypto that I sold on kraken for fiat currency it came to my attention that crypto swaps are considered a capital gains transaction and must be reported to cra. I failed to do this for the 2021 and 2023 tax years. The 2023 is a big one because I swapped BNB to BTC because I thought BNB was done in Canada.

After seeing some youtube vids about red flags for the CRA and people holding crypto will be one of them has me freaking out and losing sleep. I really want to make this right before Im audited, Whats my best course of action? Do I sign up for the VDP asap like today? Do I try to find a CPA that will help me through the process?

Thanks in advance.