How Depression Affects Sex | Medtalks

How Depression Affects Sex | Depression and Sex

Sexual relationships can be severely harmed by depression. It can make us lose our desire for and enjoyment of sexual connection, as well as our capacity to feel emotionally secure with our partner.

Sexual Problems due to Depression

The following are some of the most typical issues that depression can cause:

2. Increased emotional sensitivity — When things go wrong in a sexual relationship, as they inevitably do, depressed people may mistake these transient changes as a reflection of their own inadequacies, leading them to avoid sex even more.

3. Low energy - Fatigueness is a common symptom that saps sexual energy. Depression can lead to either too little or too much sleep, and even a lot of rest won't bring back the person's energy. It can impair desire, and sexual function can deteriorate as well. It may seem tough to muster the energy to please a mate.

4. Bonding issues - People who are depressed often find it difficult to feel deserving of love. This might make their lovers frustrated since they are unable to break through with their attempts to love and invitations into a stimulating sexual connection.

Remedies to Sexual Problems caused by Depression

If you suffer from depression, you can enhance your sex life by doing the following steps:

Consider a Medication Change

Ironically, the most commonly prescribed prescription for depression is a class of pharmaceuticals that has a negative influence on sex. These medicines, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can diminish sexual desire and inhibit orgasm in both men and women. An SSRI may have an effect on men's erections. If you're taking an SSRI and it's impacting your sex life, talk to your doctor about switching to another medication.

Work to Alleviate Depression

Working with a psychotherapist may be beneficial in helping you understand and heal the causes of your depression. Psychological counseling can help you manage your mood and may possibly allow you to stop using medication. Therapy organizes a person's complex sensations of despair, helping them to psychologically comprehend that there are real steps that can be taken to help. The empathy and understanding of the psychotherapist are internalised as comfort, laying a new foundation for mood stability. In addition, a person's steady relational experience in therapy aids in the formation of more solid attachments in their other relationships.

Go to a Sex Therapist with your Spouse

Going to sex therapy with your partner can help to clear up any misconceptions about the sexual process and boost a person's confidence in their approach. Sex therapists understand that sex is a physical process that strengthens a person's bond with their partner and can advise on how to develop sexual intimacy in a relationship. Most of the time, sex therapists assist couples in resolving their power struggle in the sexual domain. This resolution improves the partnership's security by removing a common source of depression.

Conclusion

Depression and its treatment can occasionally lead to problems with sexual health, but there is hope for both concerns to be resolved. Often, treating one can benefit the other. Finding the correct balance, on the other hand, can require time and patience. In the interim, you should consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medications. If your sexual dysfunction worsens despite any treatment changes, tell your doctor.

It's also crucial to keep in mind that, while depression and sexual dysfunction are often linked, there is a range of other conditions that might lead to sexual health issues.