The Effect of Major Depression on Sexual Function in Women

Abstract

Introduction Eleven hundred eighty-four depressed women were entered into five short-term (8 weeks) studies of gepirone-extended release (ER) vs. placebo for treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) (134001, 134002, and 134017), or atypical depressive disorder (ADD) (134004 and 134006). The effect of depression on sexual function was examined prior to treatment. Aim To determine the effect of depression on the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) sexual dysfunction diagnoses and the Derogatis Inventory of Sexual Function (DISF) total score and domain scores and to measure the effect of severity of depression. Main Outcome Measures Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), DSM-IV diagnoses, and DISF total and domain scores. Methods DSM-IV diagnoses—hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), sexual aversion disorder (SAD), female arousal disorder (FAD), and female orgasmic disorder (FOD)—were made by a trained psychiatrist. The HAMD-17 measured antidepressant efficacy. The DISF or its self-report version measured sexual function. To access the effect of severity of depression, baseline HAMD-17 scores were stratified as mild (<18), moderate (19–22), severe (23–25), or extreme (26–33). All measures were taken at baseline. Results In this depressed female population, prevalence rates were HSDD 17.7%, SAD 3.4%, FAD 5.8%, and FOD 7.7%. These rates for females are within the reported normal (nondepressed) values. However, DISF scores are one or more standard deviations below population norms for total score. DISF domains are not equally affected: orgasm is most impaired, while sexual desire and sexual arousal are somewhat preserved. Higher HAMD scores result in lower DISF scores (greater sexual dysfunction). Conclusions In women, depression affects DISF scores more than DSM-IV diagnoses for sexual dysfunction. With increasing severity of depression (increased HAMD scores), sexual dysfunction becomes greater (lower DISF scores). For equal HAMD scores, DISF scores for MDD and ADD are the same.

Sexualidade e depressão em gestantes com aborto espontâneo de repetição

“…No entanto, é relatado por vários autores 28,29 que a relação sexual não interfere no curso da gravidez. A associação inversa entre os resultados do BDI 11 e do FSFI 12 também já foi descrita anteriormente 25,28,30 . A depressão é um fator de risco para a disfunção sexual -causa desinteresse, apatia e sensação de fadiga, e potencializa outros sintomas que acabam por comprometer o desejo sexual -e, por outro lado, o desempenho sexual insatisfatório pode levar à depressão e causar conflitos relacionais, ou seja, desencadeia um círculo cumulativo entre disfunção sexual e depressão, no qual uma pode ser causa ou consequência da outra.…”

Unusual sexual behaviour associated with female depression

“…In contrast to the two females described here, it has been found that women who suffer from depression have a greater sexual dysfunction compared to that of nondepressed females in the population and the degree of dysfunction has a relationship to the severity of mood disorder (8). In a prospective study, higher levels of anhedonia in females were found to be associated with reduced sexual desire on the subsequent day (9).…”

Relationship between General Health Indices and Sexual Dysfunction in Women Experiencing Spousal Abuse

“…However, no significant association was observed between sexual dysfunction and other dimensions of general health (social function and depression). Fabre et al (2012) also investigated mental health and proposed that sexual and mental disorders resulted from low mental health levels in a large number of women (Fabre & Smith, 2012). Moreover, Montesi et al (2013) examined the effects of anger and anxiety on men's and women's sexual desire and came to the conclusion that increased anger level led to decreased sexual desire in both men and women.…”