Doctors don't talk about sex because typically they are trying to cure something much more serious. And, because most are general-practice doctors working under HMO budget constraints, they don't have the time. In Cornell's case, his doctor doesn't want him to have another heart attack. Hypertensive medications like the ones he takes are notorious for causing sexual dysfunction, but that side effect is buried along with dozens of others in the fine print of the directions. Anti-depressants are even worse, dampening the sex drive in 40 percent to 70 percent of all patients.
Every person is different.
Some respond well to one therapy or drug while others see no change. The key is to ask your doctor about options. You might need a lower dose or the same dose at different time intervals. There also are alternatives in many cases. Wellbutrin, for example, treats depression without dampening the sex drive the way Prozac and Paxil do.