Depression and erectile dysfunction: The link, causes, and treatment

What to know about depression and erectile dysfunction

Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — By Mary West on November 14, 2022

This article is a repost which originally appeared on MEDICAL NEWS TODAY.

Edited for content. The opinions expressed in this article may not reflect the opinions of this site’s editors, staff or members.

Our takes:

‧ There are many potential causes of Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

‧ Anxiety and emotional stress appear to be common underlying factors.

‧ Medical professional assistance is available for treating ED.

Research has shown that there is a link between the two conditions. If a person has depression, they have a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED).

The above information comes from a 2018 review published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Researchers do not fully understand the connection. However, theories suggest the underlying causes may include sexual performance anxiety or antidepressant side effects.

If a person with depression experiences ED, their doctor may prescribe a medication such as sildenafil (Viagra). Alternatively, they may recommend trying a different antidepressant.

Read on to learn about the symptoms of ED, how depression can cause it, treatment options, and more.

Signs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction

The signs of ED include‧:

‧ ability to get an erection only sometimes, despite a desire to have sex

‧ inability to get an erection at any time

‧ ability to get an erection, but being unable to sustain it throughout sex

Can depression cause erectile dysfunction?

Research from 2018 evaluates 49 studies to determine the relationship between depression and ED. It finds that a person with depression was 39% more likely to have ED than a person without depression.

Experts do not fully understand the factors that underlie how depression may cause ED. However, the current theories include:

‧ Behavioral: Depression involves negative thoughts and low mood. Either or both can lead to performance anxiety that hinders erectile function.

‧ Antidepressants: Many people with depression take antidepressant medications to manage their symptoms. However, these medications can cause low libido and inhibit the ability to have or maintain an erection.

‧ Low testosterone: The male hormone, testosterone, plays a key role in sexual performance. As such, low levels often correlate to ED. There is an association between depression and low testosterone levels in men.

The previously mentioned 2018 review also finds that people with ED are 192% more likely to have depression. This means that the link between depression likely goes both ways. For example, a person with depression may have ED for the reasons listed above. Similarly, a person with ED may also be more likely to experience depression.

Low self-esteem, self-consciousness about sexual performance, and other negative thoughts could contribute to depression in people with ED.
Other causes

There are a wide variety of factors besides depression that can cause ED. They include:

physical health conditions, such as:

‧ type 2 diabetes

‧ high blood pressure

‧ heart and blood vessel disease

‧ multiple sclerosis

‧ Peyronie’s disease (curvature of the penis)

‧ chronic kidney disease

‧ surgery for bladder cancer

‧ injury to the penis or pelvic area

certain medications, including:

‧ antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac)

‧ blood pressure drugs, such as atenolol (Tenormin)

‧ tranquilizers, such as diazepam (Valium)

‧ antiandrogens (medications that block the effects of testosterone), such as bicalutamide (Casodex)

‧ appetite suppressants, such as phentermine (Adipex-P)

Mental health factors can also increase a person’s likelihood of ED. In addition to depression, these include:

‧ anxiety

‧ low self-esteem

‧ fear of sexual failure

‧ stress

‧ guilt about certain sexual activities

Treatment options

Treatment for ED and depression includes medication, lifestyle changes, and psychotherapy. The treatment a healthcare professional recommends depends on the underlying cause of a person’s symptoms.

Medications for erectile dysfunction

Older research from 2001 explains when depression and ED occur simultaneously, treating one condition may improve the other. The findings indicate that treating ED with Viagra can alleviate the issue and lead to a notable reduction in depression.

Despite this, the research did not investigate how long the improvement lasts.

Doctors commonly prescribe Viagra for ED. It works by relaxing the muscle and increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual arousal. Other medications in the class include:

‧ vardenafil (Levitra)

‧ avanafil (Stendra)

‧ tadalafil (Cialis)

Additionally, if a person has low testosterone, a doctor may prescribe supplemental hormones.

Another treatment option that can trigger an erection is alprostadil. This comes in the form of an injection (Caverject) or a suppository (Muse).

Medication change for depression

A study from 2017 notes that sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of many antidepressants. For that reason, changing medication can help. Low libido and difficulty maintaining an erection are common side effects of antidepressants. However, some medications are less likely to have these effects.

The study’s authors recommend the following antidepressants for people who consider sexual functioning important:

‧ desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

‧ trazodone

‧ vortioxetine (Trintellix)

‧ vilazodone

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes may also reduce symptoms‧ of ED. These changes include:

‧ stopping smoking, if applicable

‧ eating a nutritious diet

‧ exercising regularly

‧ maintaining a moderate weight

‧ limiting or stopping recreational drug use, if applicable

Psychotherapy

The following psychotherapy interventions may help a person manage the emotional and psychological effects of depression and ED.

‧ Sex therapy: This involves counseling partners about their relationship or sex-related concerns.

‧ Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This helps a person identify unhelpful thoughts and develop healthier ways of responding to challenges.

‧ Mindfulness therapy: This mental exercise consists of focusing on the present moment.

When to contact a doctor

If a person thinks they may have ED, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor.

Additionally, people should seek medical attention if they have symptoms of depression. The sad feelings associated with depression last weeks and months, not days.

If they have suicidal thoughts, they should get immediate medical attention.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
Listen to the person without judgment.
Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Summary

People with depression are more likely to have ED, and ED is also associated with higher rates of depression. Symptoms of ED include being unable to attain and sustain an erection long enough to have sex.

If a person has both depression and ED, treating one condition is likely to improve the other. Medication and psychotherapy interventions, such as mindfulness, may help someone manage both conditions.

Sources:

Chokka, P. R., et al. (2017). Assessment and management of sexual dysfunction in the context of depression.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2045125317720642
Liu, Q., et al. (2018). Erectile dysfunction and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(18)31007-5/fulltext
Lue, T. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (ED).
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction
Overview – clinical depression. (2019).
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/overview/
Seidman, S. N., et al. (2001). Treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with depressive symptoms: Results of a placebo-controlled trial with sildenafil citrate.
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.158.10.1623
Walther, A., et al. (2019). Association of testosterone treatment with alleviation of depressive symptoms in men.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2712976

Nitroglycerin Gel for ED: Pros, Cons, & Practical Information

About Nitroglycerin Gel for Erectile Dysfunction

Medically reviewed by Matt Coward, MD, FACS — Written by Sara Lindberg on December 16, 2020

This article is a repost which originally appeared on Healthline

Edited for content

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may affect as many as 30 million men in the United States. People with ED experience an inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sex.

You may be familiar with some of the more common treatments for ED, including lifestyle modifications, oral medications that include phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PED5 inhibitors), and penis pumps.

But a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine also looked at the use of nitroglycerin gel or cream as a topical treatment for ED. Although results look promising, it’s important to note that nitroglycerin gel or cream isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED.

Here’s what you need to know about nitroglycerin as a topical treatment for erectile dysfunction.

What is nitroglycerin?

Nitroglycerin is part of a class called vasodilators, which widen the blood vessels and improve blood flow to allow oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart.

It comes in a variety of forms, including sublingual (under-the-tongue), topical cream or gel, and as a transdermal patch. Nitroglycerin is most often used to prevent angina or attacks of chest pains.

Nitroglycerin for ED

“The idea of treating ED with topical nitroglycerin is not new and was first described in the 1980s,” says Dr. Joseph Brito, a urologist at Yale New Haven Health, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Brito is also a member of Healthline’s clinical review network.

In general, Brito says nitroglycerin works by dilating the blood vessels, which is why it’s traditionally used for patients with angina or chest pain due to poor cardiac vessel blood flow.

The concept is the same for ED, although Brito says it may have a dual mechanism of action:

  • It widens blood vessels helps blood flow.
  • It relaxes penile smooth muscle, which in turn compresses penile veins and impedes blood flow out of the penis, which causes rigidity.

How does nitroglycerin gel work?

According to Brito, nitroglycerin gel or cream differs from other ED treatments such as oral medications:

“[Topical nitroglycerin] acts as a nitrogen donor to increase local levels of nitric oxide, which works through molecular signaling (cGMP pathway) to cause this response,” he says.

On the other hand, Brito says PDE5 inhibitors (like tadalafil and sildenafil) work at a later step in the chain by inhibiting the breakdown of cGMP.

Nitroglycerin for ED doesn’t have enough research

That said, Brito points out that nitroglycerin gel or cream is currently not approved by the FDA to treat ED.

Moreover, Brito points out that the American Urological Association guideline on erectile dysfunction published in 2018 didn’t include topical nitroglycerin as a suggested treatment for men with ED.

“Though this therapy was not specifically mentioned, the authors did state ‘the use of these treatments may preclude the use of other treatments known to be effective,’ and felt more research was needed,” he explains.

And there’s another factor to consider: Nitroglycerin cream on the outside of the penis might be transferred to your partner.

Why are people interested nitroglycerin gel for ED?

“Nitroglycerin may have some benefits over standard oral ED medications,” Brito says.

The onset of topical nitroglycerin is between 10 and 20 minutes, which Brito says is better than the quickest acting oral agents, with sildenafil taking at least 30 minutes.

In fact, the 2018 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 44 percent of patients saw erection beginning within 5 minutes of application. Seventy percent of the men noticed an erection within 10 minutes.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 232 men with ED who participated in two 4-week trials. One trial used a 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate topical gel before sex, and the other used a placebo gel.

“This may help with spontaneity, which can be an issue for couples using oral agents,” Brito explains.

Another benefit, Brito says, is that unlike other ED treatments like oral agents, nitroglycerin doesn’t need to pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

“Since absorption of oral agents like sildenafil is strongly affected by food intake, the medications are much more effective when taken on an empty stomach,” he says. This requires more planning and doesn’t always allow for spontaneity.

Where to buy nitroglycerin for ED

Nitroglycerin gel or cream is currently not approved by the FDA to treat ED.

If you have questions about this topical treatment, you need to talk with a doctor who knows your medical history. A prescription is needed for nitroglycerin.

How to take nitroglycerin gel for ED

Nitroglycerin use is managed by your doctor. Don’t use or apply this topical treatment without guidance.

According to the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the concentration studied was 0.2 percent, which Brito says likely explains why the effect was best for men with mild ED.

He also points out that other studies used concentrations of 0.2 to 0.8 percent for patients with more severe ED, who likely needing higher concentrations.

In general, Brito says people prescribed nitroglycerin by their doctor should apply a small amount (pea-sized) to the head of the penis.

Side effects and contraindications

Nitroglycerin is certainly not for everyone. According to a 2018 review, taking nitroglycerin-based medications with certain PDE5 inhibitors like Viagra is contraindicated. Using them together can result in a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure and potentially death.

According to Brito, some drawbacks of topical nitroglycerin include possible transmission to the partner, which can lead to the partner sharing in side effects, especially low blood pressure. This can lead to headache and nasal congestion.

Other treatments for ED

There are several treatments available for ED, including:

  • oral medications that include PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis). Other oral medications include vardenafil HCL (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra)
  • erectile dysfunction pump (penis or vacuum pump)
  • penile injections
  • inflatable penile prosthesis
  • psychotherapy (talk therapy) for emotional or psychological issues related to ED
  • suppositories (Alprostadil)
  • counseling
  • diet modifications
  • exercise
  • stress reduction

The takeaway

Although some research points to the effectiveness of nitroglycerin gel or cream for improving the symptoms of ED, it’s currently not approved by the FDA as a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

If you have ED or think you may have ED, it’s important that you talk with a doctor about any treatment options. They can talk with you about the range of options, including lifestyle modifications, counseling, oral agents, penis pumps, surgery, and implants.