Research is exploring ways to counter the sexual side effects caused by anti-depressants, specifically SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors – that account for the vast majority of approximately 180 million U.S. prescriptions to treat depression. Viagra (sildenafil), used in a study of women taking SSRIs for depression, showed results suggesting the drug prescribed for male erectile dysfunction could be helpful for women who cannot reach orgasm or have low sexual response toward arousal.

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the women in the study group reached a quicker orgasm while taking Viagra in comparison to the women who were given a placebo over an eight-week timeframe. Participants were being prescribed an SSRI for depression. George Nurnberg, study author, has also conducted a similar study for men complaining of delays in reaching orgasm who were using an SSRI prescription, also with promising results. Study authors believe other male erectile dysfunction medications could also help boost orgasm capabilities for people using anti-depressants.

Still, sexual dysfunction can be caused by a long list of factors, say experts in the field, and every woman’s sexual response is different. The FDA permits but doesn’t officially recommend the use of Viagra or drugs like it for sexual problems linked with anti-depressants, but specialists like Robert Segraves, who works with patients with sexual dysfunction, has given the prescription to women who take anti-depressants. While some patients have seen improvements in sexual response, Segraves says he hasn’t seen a huge increase in success from the drugs, noting that it won’t have an effect on a woman’s actual desire for her spouse.

Sexual desire stems from brain activity and medications like Viagra don’t impact the brain’s function. While experts in sexual dysfunction say a woman can be physically aroused but still have no interest in sexual activity, treatments that include Viagra can be a component in a mix of treatments and approaches to help encourage patients to continue taking their anti-depressants without suffering serious sexual side effects.

Additionally, patients can talk to their doctor about the most beneficial time of day to take their anti-depressant medication to reduce sexual dysfunction, or discuss with their doctor the possibility of a lower dosage. Some patients, over time, reported that the sexual side effects lessened as they continued to take their antidepressant medications.

While definite opinion on the effects of medications like Viagra on sexual dysfunction remains under debate, most experts agree – if formulas like Viagra prevent someone from stopping an anti-depressant who needs the medication to combat potentially life-threatening depression symptoms, then the drugs could be a vital part of anti-depression treatment for some patients.

For some mothers, this level of depression leads to thoughts of suicide. Science Daily recently posted a release covering the findings of a two-year study by Ruth Paris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice at Boston University’s School of Social Work, Rendelle E. Bolton, a graduate student at the BU School of Social Work and M. Katherine Weinberg, Ph.D., a psychologist and an infant development specialist.

Researchers found that in situations where the woman is contemplating taking her own life, the mother-infant relationship and development is a negative experience. She has greater mood disturbances, cognitive distortions, low maternal self-esteem, negative perceptions of her effectiveness as a new parent and noticeably less responsiveness to her infant’s cues.

In a study of 32 new mothers, 53 percent, or 17 of the mothers, made up the high suicidal group. Women within this group were experiencing more sleep and eating problems as well as greater severity in overall struggles that can be attributed to postpartum depression.

Those women in the suicidal group had poorer self esteem and felt they were less prepared for mothering. As a result, these women expected a poor relationship with their infants.

At the same time, the infants of suicidal mothers exhibited less positive behavior in the form of fewer smiles and more fussing. According to the study, "Infants of highly suicidal mothers were somewhat more passive and less engaged in the interactions.”

"These mothers… were also feeling more anxious, emotionally labile, mentally confused, had experienced a greater loss of self and felt greater guilt about their experience.”