Can Orgasms Help Depression?

Can an Orgasm Help Depression?

When we think about ways to improve our mental health, orgasms might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, the benefits of sexual pleasure extend far beyond the bedroom.

A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that regular sexual activity was linked with significantly lower anxiety and depression. Researchers have known for some time that orgasms don’t just feel good, they do good, too. So what’s their role in improving our mental well-being, and potentially helping depression? Let’s explore below. 

What is depression?

Before we look at the link between orgasms and depression, it’s important to understand this mental health condition.

Depression is more than just an occasional bout of sadness or a case of “the blues”. It’s a serious, multi-factorial medical condition that impacts the way you feel, think, and act, leading to a variety of emotional and physical problems. It’s important to understand that depression is a common but severe mood disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.

Depression manifests differently in everyone, but common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or low Mood: Feeling sad, anxious, or "empty" for most of the day, nearly every day.
• Loss of interest or pleasure: Losing interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed, including sex.
• Changes in appetite or weight: Significant weight loss or gain without dieting, or changes in appetite.
• Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much.
• Fatigue or low energy: Feeling tired or lacking energy nearly every day, even after adequate rest.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Experiencing feelings of worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt.
• Difficulty concentrating: Trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
• Physical symptoms: Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.
• Thoughts of death or suicide: Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.

These symptoms can range from mild to severe, but regardless of their severity, you should reach out to someone for help.

How severe depression is also depends on the cause. It’s a very complex condition with multiple contributing factors.

• Genetics: If depression runs in your family, there may be an increased risk for you. Studies suggest that genes can be a factor in the onset of depression.
• Environmental stress: Major life events such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, financial struggles, or job loss can all contribute to depression. Ongoing stress from work, relationships, or chronic illness can also play a role.
• Psychological factors: Negative thinking patterns and cognitive distortions like overgeneralization or catastrophizing can influence depression. Low self-esteem and a pessimistic outlook can also make someone more vulnerable to depression.
• Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions like chronic illnesses, chronic pain, or other mental health disorders can be linked to depression. Additionally, some medications may have side effects that include depressive symptoms.

Understanding depression's multifaceted nature is crucial for effective treatment and management. Now that we have a clearer picture of what depression is, let’s delve into how orgasms might help alleviate some of its symptoms.

Can orgasm help depression?

Orgasms are not just about physical pleasure; they also have significant mental health benefits.

When you reach climax, your body releases hormones and neurotransmitters that can make you feel super happy and stress-free. Endorphins, which are like your body's natural painkillers, give you a euphoric feeling, while oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone," promotes relaxation and bonding.

Activities that bring you pleasure, like masturbation, can activate the pleasure center in your brain, releasing all those feel-good chemicals.

One study even found that oxytocin released during orgasm helps reduce stress and build social connections. Plus, orgasms can lower cortisol levels, which means less stress and anxiety and a greater sense of calm. And the benefits don't stop there. Orgasms can improve your sleep quality, boost your self-esteem, and leave you feeling more positive about yourself, which is so important for fighting depression.

Luckily, you can reap these benefits whether you climax or not. Even if you don't reach orgasm every time, that arousal stage might actually increase dopamine, oxytocin, and other feel-good hormones.

The link between depression and libido

Knowing that orgasms can improve your mood is great, but there's a catch-22 because depression and loss of libido are closely connected. This means that depression can lead to decreased sexual desire, and a lack of sexual interest can also make depressive symptoms worse. So while orgasm could potentially help you feel better, depression acts as a barrier to achieving orgasm in the first place.  

Physical symptoms of depression, such as feeling tired, having low energy, and changes in appetite and sleep patterns, can also affect sexual desire. When a person is physically exhausted or struggling with insomnia, their interest in sexual activity often decreases. 

Mental and emotional factors are also important; depression often comes with feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and low self-esteem, which can impact one’s sexual confidence and interest. Feeling persistently sad and finding no pleasure in everyday activities can also lead to a lack of interest in sex. 

Additionally, some antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are known to have sexual side effects, such as decreased libido, difficulty achieving orgasm, and erectile dysfunction. While these medications are effective in managing depression, their impact on sexual desire can be a significant concern for many people.

It's perfectly normal for your sex drive to wax and wane, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with low libido. It can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and inadequacy, and make you feel even worse if you're already dealing with depression. 

Sexual intimacy is such an important part of relationships. When the desire for it decreases, it can create tension and misunderstandings between partners, which can make depressive symptoms even worse. Feeling disconnected from your partner and lacking the desire for intimacy can also lead to social isolation, intensifying feelings of loneliness and depression, and it can feel like everything is feeding into each other.

The takeaway 

Orgasms have their perks, but it wouldn't be fair to imply they're a cure-all for mental health issues like depression. If someone is dealing with depression, they might not be in the mood for sex or masturbation to begin with, and reaching orgasm won't magically make their depression disappear. 

 Dealing with depression or anxiety requires more than just relying on orgasms for relief. Suggesting otherwise minimizes and over-simplifies an incredibly complex and difficult condition. 

 Taking care of your mental health is a journey, and every positive step counts towards feeling better, but orgasms alone aren't enough to help — let alone cure — depression. 

 Each person's experience with depression is unique. Some find relief through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these. The most important thing is to seek help and find the tools you need to manage your mental health.