In about 10-20% of cases, the cause of the development of erectile dysfunction are psychological factors. One of the psychological disorders that is often associated with ED is the ordinary depression. To cope with this disorder, many men start taking antidepressants. These drugs are powerful helpers (especially when combined with the help of a psychotherapist), however, some of them can cause ED or aggravate this disease if it already exists.

Depression and the Use of Antidepressants

Depression is a real scourge of our time. About 350 million people around the world suffer from this illness. Contrary to alarming numbers, many of us tend to underestimate the dangers of a depressed state.

Depression is a serious psychological disorder, which often affects not only the patient himself, but also his loved ones.

You may have depression if, for a long time (two weeks or more), you observe the following symptoms:

• reduced mood throughout the day;
• a decrease in the sense of satisfaction from life and interest in it;
• decrease in appetite;
• insomnia combined with drowsiness;
• agitated behavior (excessive mobility or slowness or a combination thereof);
• a sharp decrease in energy levels;
• a pessimistic view of what is happening;
• a sense of inferiority and guilt;
• the inability to focus and concentrate;
• periodical thoughts about death / suicide.

The core of any depression is unmotivated deep melancholy. This inhibits all mental processes, which are experienced quite painfully. There are complaints of memory disorders, internal emptiness, chest pain, and even joint pain.

Recently, Canadian scientists discovered that a long depression can lead to changes in the brain, similar to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. Therefore, you must not leave this disorder without treatment.

The main directions of depression therapy are pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and social therapy. Pharmacotherapy is performed with the help of antidepressants. These medications are prescription (RX) products and are used for depression of moderate to severe grade. They include the following groups of meds:

1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (or SSRIs, SRIs is a broader term including non-selective meds). Examples: Celexa, Lexapro*, and Prozac.
2. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Examples: Isocarboxazid (brand name Marplan) and Phenelzine (brand name Nardil).
3. Tricyclic antidepressants. Examples: Desipramine (Norpramin) and Zonalon (Doxepin).
4. Atypical antidepressants. The class of these meds includes Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Mirtazapine (Remeron).
5. Selective serotonin & norepinephrine reuptake suppressors. Among them are Desvenlafaxine (brand name Pristiq) & Duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta**).

* For more information about Lexapro, please visit this page: link coming soon

* For more information about Cymbalta, please visit this page: link coming soon

Antidepressant-Associated Erection Disorders

Scientists report that erectile problems occur in about 30 to 70 percent of men who use serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are often prescribed antidepressants, for example, Prozac and Celexa. Side effects may include impaired sex drive (libido), deteriorated excitation processes, and orgasm problems. These effects can be so severe that most people who use these antidepressants begin to cancel their administration too early, which may lead to recurrence of depressive state (that is, depression comes back). However, Viagra can become an Aladdin’s lamp in such cases.

It should be noted that antidepressants can cause sexual dysfunction not only in male persons but also in women. Fortunately, Canadian Viagra can also help in case of deterioration of the female libido (we will discuss this issue in more detail below).

Viagra as a Remedy for Treating Drug-Induced Sexual Problems

Back in the early 2000s, scientists at the University of New Mexico conducted a study according to which more than half of men with drug-induced erectile problems experienced significant improvement as a result of the administration of Viagra. Also, researchers reported that erectile function, orgasm, and satisfaction with sexual life improved significantly in those who took Viagra compared to those persons who received placebo tablets. The most common undesirable effect was headache, but it was mild. During the use of sildenafil, recurrence of depression was not observed.

In addition, scientists D. Stulberg and B. Ewigman conducted an interesting study in 2008, which allowed them to draw the following conclusions. If a doctor appoints SRIs to women, he should tell them to let him / her know if they have sexual dysfunction as a result of antidepressant therapy. Sildenafil (Viagra) in a dosage of 50 mg with the possibility of increasing to 100 mg will help women cope with this problem, scientists said. Hence, Female Viagra* is a good tool for eliminating antidepressant-induced sexual problems in women.

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Can Viagra Treat Depression?

Later, scientists from Canada made another interesting discovery. They found that Viagra not only can reduce the symptoms of antidepressant-associated erection problems, but also treat depression of a mild degree of severity. Dr. Sidney Kennedy, head of the research team, reported that many men with erectile dysfunction also have symptoms of depression. The study involved male persons who suffered erectile dysfunction for about 4 years and simultaneously had symptoms of mild depression.

Participants of the study were divided into two groups. The first group received sildenafil and the second one took placebo. Six weeks later, most men who used sildenafil reduced their depression rates by 47 percent, that is, their depression became minimal. Those who took placebo had only a 26% reduction in depression level, that is, their condition remained mild, not minimal. Of course, Viagra also improved penile erection and the quality of life in these men.

The Bottom Line

Viagra is a medical remedy that is very helpful in the case of erectile problems caused by the use of antidepressant meds, especially serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It improves the sexual life, and makes it possible to use the full cycle of treatment with antidepressants without canceling their administration.

In the treatment of erectile dysfunction and simultaneous presence of psychological problems, a psychologist’s consultation is required, since regardless of the cause of the problem (impotence), sexual failures cause serious damage to the psychological state of a person.