New research in psychology suggests an easy, economical and accessible solution for people whose libido is affected as a result of antidepressant medications. Keep reading to find out what the solution is.
The, published on-line in Depression and Anxiety (Depression and Anxiety), shows that sexual dysfunction can be effectively treated with a prescription for moderately intense exercises.
“These findings have important implications for public health, since exercise as a treatment for sexual side effects is accessible, inexpensive and does not add a burden to care,” says Tierney Lorenz, who conducted the study at the University of Texas with the Psychology Professor Cindy Meston.
The researchers recruited 52 women affected by sexual side effects caused by antidepressants.
During the first three weeks of the study, participants engaged in sexual activities without exercising. In the second experiment, one group completed three weeks of exercises they performed immediately before sexual activity; while the other group did the three weeks of exercise but without programming to do so before sexual encounters. They all engaged in sexual activities and 30 minutes of strength training and cardiovascular exercises three times a week. The two groups then reversed roles from the last experiment. Women who already exercised regularly were asked to add three extra sessions to their exercise routines.
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The results showed that 30 minutes of exercise just before sex can reduce the effects of libido-numbing drugs. These findings were based on participants’ self-reported assessments of their sexual functioning, satisfaction, and psychological health before and after each experiment. They also had to report each sexual event in diaries. on-line.
According to data, performing a regular exercise routine can improve orgasms in women. However, women who exercised immediately before sex experienced significantly stronger libidos and overall improvements in sexual functioning.
Why does exercise help increase libido? Moderately intense exercise activates the Sympathetic Nervous System, which facilitates blood flow to the genital regions. Antidepressants have been shown to affect this system. Scheduling regular sexual activities and exercise could be effective in alleviating these side effects, Lorenz concludes in the study.
Lorenz also believes that if we take into account that there are many people with pharmacological treatments for depression and that the treatment possibilities are not many at present, this discovery is very relevant for treating sexual dysfunction in women medicated with antidepressants.
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