BACKGROUND: In laboratory studies, exercise immediately before sexual stimuli improved sexual arousal of women taking antidepressants [1]. We evaluated if exercise improves sexual desire, orgasm, and global sexual functioning in women experiencing antidepressant-induced sexual side effects. METHODS:Fifty-two women who were reporting antidepressant sexual side effects were followed for 3 weeks of sexual activity only. They were randomized to complete either three weeks of exercise immediately before sexual activity (3×/week) or 3 weeks of exercise separate from sexual activity (3×/week). At the end of the first exercise arm, participants crossed to the other. We measured sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, depression, and physical health. RESULTS:Exercise immediately prior to sexual activity significantly improved sexual desire and, for women with sexual dysfunction at baseline, global sexual function. Scheduling regular sexual activity significantly improved orgasm function; exercise did not increase this benefit. Neither regular sexual activity nor exercise significantly changed sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduling regular sexual activity and exercise may be an effective tool for the behavioral management of sexual side effects of antidepressants
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: In laboratory studies, exercise immediately before sexual stimuli improved sexual arousal of women taking antidepressants [1]. We evaluated if exercise improves sexual desire, orgasm, and global sexual functioning in women experiencing antidepressant-induced sexual side effects. METHODS: Fifty-two women who were reporting antidepressant sexual side effects were followed for 3 weeks of sexual activity only. They were randomized to complete either three weeks of exercise immediately before sexual activity (3×/week) or 3 weeks of exercise separate from sexual activity (3×/week). At the end of the first exercise arm, participants crossed to the other. We measured sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, depression, and physical health. RESULTS: Exercise immediately prior to sexual activity significantly improved sexual desire and, for women with sexual dysfunction at baseline, global sexual function. Scheduling regular sexual activity significantly improved orgasm function; exercise did not increase this benefit. Neither regular sexual activity nor exercise significantly changed sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduling regular sexual activity and exercise may be an effective tool for the behavioral management of sexual side effects of antidepressants
Authors: J F Sallis; W L Haskell; P D Wood; S P Fortmann; T Rogers; S N Blair; R S Paffenbarger Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 1985-01 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: N B Oldridge; A P Donner; C W Buck; N L Jones; G M Andrew; J O Parker; D A Cunningham; T Kavanagh; P A Rechnitzer; J R Sutton Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 1983-01-01 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Tierney Ahrold Lorenz; Christopher B Harte; Lisa Dawn Hamilton; Cindy M Meston Journal: Psychophysiology Date: 2011-08-31 Impact factor: 4.016