EverydayHealth.com says the link between depression and sexual dysfunction is clearly established, citing studies that show 35 to 47 percent of all people with depression have problems in their sex lives. Furthermore, antidepressant medications may help to banish the blues, but in doing so they take a toll on sexual satisfaction on up to 40 percent of those taking them.
In looking at the ways in which depression interferes with erectile function, EverydayHealth notes that the sexual urge to get an erection starts in the brain. Erectile dysfunction results when there isn’t a sufficient level of brain chemicals to stimulate blood flow to the penis.
While it’s true that certain antidepressant medications dampen sexual desire and interfere with erectile function, not all drugs cause these reactions. If you’re on an antidepressant and experiencing symptoms of ED, ask your doctor to switch you to a drug less likely to have these effects.