New research suggests engaging in appropriately timed exercise can significantly improve sexual function in women taking antidepressants.
The finding suggests an inexpensive and natural remedy from women whose sex lives are affected by antidepressant use, a University of Texas at Austin news release reported.
"These findings have important implications for public health, as exercise as a treatment for sexual side effects is accessible, cheap and does not add to burden of care," Tierney Lorenz, an Indiana University post-doctoral research fellow who conducted the study at The University of Texas at Austin with Psychology Professor Cindy Meston, said.
A research team looked at 52 women who experienced sexual side effects related to antidepressants.
One group of participants engaged in regular sexual activity for three weeks. The second group of study subjects also participated in sexual activity, but engaged in 30 minutes of strength training and cardio three times a week.
In the final section of the study the groups were asked to reverse roles; both participated in sexual activity but those in the exercise group ceased physical activity and the non-exercises engaged in cardio and strength training.
The participants were asked to report their "sexual functioning, satisfaction and psychological health" before and after each section of the study. The women also reported each sexual experience they had over the course of the study in an online diary.
Regular exercise was found to improve orgasm function in all of the participants, but physical activity closer to intercourse was found to be most effective.
The researchers found that women who engaged in 30 minutes of exercise directly before intercourse reduced the "libido-dulling" effects of their prescribed antidepressants.
The findings may be linked to the fact that exercise increases blood flow to the genitals while antidepressants have been known to decrease it.
"Considering the wide prevalence of antidepressant sexual side effects and the dearth of treatment options for those experiencing these distressing effects, this is an important step in treating sexual dysfunction among women who are taking antidepressants," Lorenz said.
