ED and mood disorders

[Flavio]

We have already talked about anxiety and ED, but anxiety is only part of the problem. Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) may also have a drastic impact on a man's sex life. Unfortunately, there are very few studies done on this.

It is generally accepted, though, that depression is a major cause (and consequence) of psychogenic impotence. Depression interferes with the brain function necessary to stimulate sexual arousal and produce an erection (it's that 'click in the brain' that some EDG users have mentioned before). It also suppresses positive feelings and emotions, which inhibit libido and the desire for sexual activity.

The problem with psychogenic ED is that even the slightest mood variations seem to have drastic effects on a man's sexual performance. I've never read any studies on this, I'm referring to my own personal experience: if I go through a negative sexual experience, I immediately feel a bit depressed (not just sad or disappointed, but clinically depressed) and find it harder to reobtain my erection. I'm not a chronically depressed person but I do have these drastic mood swings and I feel this has affected my sex life over the years.

Another problem is that most antidepressants (e.g. SRI's) aggravate erectile dysfunction. Tianeptine (brand name STABLON) seems to be an exception: it is a serotonin reuptake enhancer and actually improves libido and erectile function. I've never tried it but I've read great things about it and everyone seems to agree it has no sexual side effects. It is also an effective anxiolytic. You can read more on tianeptine here: Tianeptine and male sexual function

[Flavio]

For more on depression and Erectile Dysfunction, check out study below, it talks about normal sexual function is a bio psychosocial process that almost always has organic and psychological components :

http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/pccp...3/v63s0502.pdf

[ydrohoos]

We have already talked about anxiety and ED, but anxiety is only part of the problem. Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) may also have a drastic impact on a man's sex life. Unfortunately, there are very few studies done on this.

It is generally accepted, though, that depression is a major cause (and consequence) of psychogenic impotence. Depression interferes with the brain function necessary to stimulate sexual arousal and produce an erection (it's that 'click in the brain' that some EDG users have mentioned before). It also suppresses positive feelings and emotions, which inhibit libido and the desire for sexual activity.

The problem with psychogenic ED is that even the slightest mood variations seem to have drastic effects on a man's sexual performance. I've never read any studies on this, I'm referring to my own personal experience: if I go through a negative sexual experience, I immediately feel a bit depressed (not just sad or disappointed, but clinically depressed) and find it harder to reobtain my erection. I'm not a chronically depressed person but I do have these drastic mood swings and I feel this has affected my sex life over the years.

Great post Flavio.

When I have a negative sexual experience i get badly depressed...not just a little bit.

In fact, in my case, it was sexual dysfunction that has lead to depression and i am currently on mirtazapine. I was initially prescribed fluoxetine (SSRI) and it did help my mood but as soon as i read about its side effects on libido and erectile function i stopped it.

I have been in search of sth that would'nt inhibit my libido nor my erections. My research has led me to Bupropion, which i bought online, but unfortunately could'nt tolerate well enough. It was making me quite anxious and it caused a torturous ringing in the ears so i stoped. MIrtazapine supposedly has a neutral effect but i am not too fond of it because it makes me quite drowsy.

I have researched Tianeptine as well but it is not prescribed in the UK and it is quite expensive to buy it online. You also need to take it 3 times a day which is not very convenient. Nonetheless, it sounds quite good and i have come across many positive reviews as well.

Recenly, I have been doing more reserch on dopamine agonists because they tend to combine a libido and mood enhancing properties. Pramipexole has been shown to be of benefit to the treatment of unipolar and bipolar dissorders and it is reported that it can elevate libido.

The only thing that i am concerned about when it comes to pramipexole, is that elevated dopamine levels are considered to be implicated in OCD. This can be an issue for me since my depression has an OCD component which revolves around the issue of ED, how much libido i have, how much testosterone, how many erection do i get per night, how many times a weeks do i wake up with an erection and so on....

I used to do a lot of obsessive research on hormone levels in oder to ensure that i had no issue there at all. I am virtually an expert on topics like these nowadays but still relatively insecure...

Well, thats OCD for you...

Have a look at pramipexole though. I believe that you will find it interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pramipexole#cite_note-1

Check the below link too. It is of a literature review article regarding pramipexole and depression. At the end of the article you will find the list of references from other related articles.

http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/28/12/438

[Caravan]

Depression causes ED and ED causes depression. Funny how that works.