5-HT(2A) receptors down-regulate in young depressed subjects after treatment with paroxetine, but this down-regulation attenuates with age. This suggests that over 6 weeks paroxetine treatment increases 5-HT agonism on 5-HT(2A) receptors in the cortex of young patients with depression.
Aim
Men with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) report high rates of sexual dysfunction, as do healthy males with low levels of testosterone. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of depression and low testosterone across various domains of sexual function.
Methods
Untreated depressed males (N=44) and age-matched healthy controls (N=50) had blood samples drawn to determine morning levels of total testosterone (TT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT). In addition, questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms as well as sexual function were administered.
Main Outcome Measures
Sexual function outcomes were measured using the Sex Effects (SexFX) Scale and depression severity was assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 item (HAMD-17).
Results
Using TT criteria, 27.9% of men were categorically defined as hypogonadal compared to 19.3% using BT criteria. Within both TT and BT hypogonadal groups, men with MDD had lower scores on all domains of sexual function compared to healthy controls with hypogonadism. Testosterone levels interacted with MDD status to affect orgasm and desire, although not arousal. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that depression status was the main factor influencing sexual function. Hypogonadal status was not a predictor of sexual function in this sample, although age did play a minor role in the domain of arousal.
Conclusion
While testosterone levels appear to influence sexual function, specifically orgasm, the presence of MDD appears to be a stronger factor and has high predictive value for sexual outcomes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.