Sexual dysfunctions (lack of desire for close-ups, difficulties in achieving an orgasm, erectile dysfunction, etc.) are often caused by depression and the...
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Depression kills the desire to have sex
Sexual dysfunctions (lack of desire for close-ups, difficulties in achieving an orgasm, erectile dysfunction, etc.) are often caused by depression and the effects of antidepressants. What should you do in such a situation so that you do not interrupt your treatment and can continue to enjoy sexual pleasure? Read what the psychologist-sexual advisors advise.
More and more people who suffer from constant lowering of their mood, problems with sleeping and eating, sense of meaninglessness, loss of interest, reduced energy and even suicidal thoughts are reported to psychological and psychiatric clinics - these are symptoms of depression. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, appearing nowadays and occurring in various forms. First of all, we distinguish between proper depression, which can be very strong and last for years. People suffering from this type of depression often experience emptiness, sense of meaninglessness for many months or years, which can contribute to thoughts or suicidal attempts. Other types of depression include seasonal depression, which occurs in winter when there is a lack of sunshine, postpartum depression, which occurs in some women after giving birth, and reactive depression, which is associated with experiencing a traumatic event.
Depression and sex
Although depression is increasingly being talked about, and many of the symptoms accompanying it are mentioned, difficulties in sexual life are rarely mentioned, and they occur frequently. Studies have shown that up to 70% of people diagnosed with depression may develop sexual dysfunction. Firstly, they are caused by existing depression, and secondly, they are caused by taking antidepressants. This is because these drugs regulate the level of neurotransmitters in the brain that are disturbed during depression. However, changes in the functioning of these neurotransmitters can contribute not only to mood disorders but also to the appearance of sexual dysfunction. In addition, the other way round, emerging sexual dysfunctions, such as erectile dysfunctions, libido decline, orgasmic disorders, and others, may contribute to a reduction in self-esteem, mood deterioration, hopelessness and, over time, depression.
Sexual dysfunctions
Women
The results of many studies show that the most common sexual dysfunctions in women with a diagnosis of depression are disorders of the arousal phase (difficulties occurring during the arousal phase, such as vaginal wetting, clitoral and vulva swelling), orgasm disorders (lack of orgasm or difficulty in achieving it), lack of sexual pleasure and satisfaction.
Man
In men, on the other hand, the most common disorders are a decrease in interest in sexuality and erection disorders.
People's problems
Many people suffering from depression have problems with sex in their own relationship. If you want to know about their problems, please read the following:
- https://www.sicreto.com/questions/5e281c350e5d6/Question-for-the-male-sex
- https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/sexual-problems-and-depression
- https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/longform/a38714/sex-addict-woman-story/
- https://www.sicreto.com/questions/5e27d29e431e6/Its-all-going-to-be-a-mess-because-Im-a-lesbian
- https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/03/22/confessions-porn-addicted-priest
The influence of antidepressants
People who take antidepressants may develop orgasmic disorders in particular. Most often it is the difficulty in achieving an orgasm, manifested by the fact that the orgasm is achieved in a much longer time than usual. Very often, taking such drugs also causes a decrease in libido - we are less interested in sexual activity and we make sexual contact much less often than usual. Men experience erectile dysfunction - difficulties in achieving an erection before intercourse or maintaining it during intercourse. Other dysfunctions that may occur are disorders of the phase of sexual stimulation, lack of feeling in the vagina, ejaculation disorders and lack of orgasm.
A person taking antidepressants, who has experienced a significant improvement in mood, but who has also experienced sexual disorders, seems to be in a situation of no return - after all, he or she will not stop taking antidepressants, as this will result in a return to his or her former bad mood. However, this is not quite so, because she can always ask her doctor to prescribe another antidepressant that causes less sexual dysfunction or a reduction in the dose of her current medication. However, if for some reason this is not possible, you can try to have sexual contact at a time when the concentration of the drug in your body is low, which makes the negative effect weaker. This means, for example, taking the medication in the morning, if you want to get closer in the evening. It is also important to remember that the side effects of antidepressants are only temporary and disappear when you stop treatment.