Sex, orgasms, and mental health...is there a connection?

[blulilacgrl]

For anyone who struggles with mental illness or is with someone who struggles, do you find sex to be helpful when having an episode?

I'm finding that I am having increased episodes of hypersexuality and I've noticed that sex (more specifically orgasms) helps to stabilize the moods especial when I am manic but a lack of it really can have a negative impact. I've done some rudimentary googling and am finding a few articles that link sex to helping people work through their cycling. Unfortunately I'm finding news articles and not any scientific studies to support it. So at this point it feels all very antecdotal.


For example...
"Sexologist Isiah McKimmie said: ‘Sex elevates our mood through the release of hormones and endorphins it causes in our brain.

‘It increases oxytocin (a love and bonding hormone,) serotonin (a happiness hormone) and dopamine levels. These help us experience feelings of love, connection and happiness.

‘Additionally, semen contains mild anti-depressant compounds. Women who have unprotected sex with their partners have been shown to have elevated moods compared to women who always or mostly use condoms"

https://metro.co.uk/2017/12/14/doctor-tells-woman-much-sex-can-handle-treat-bipolar-disorder-7158396/

Does anyone find this to be true? Does sex help? If so is it more related to the physical components (like snuggling, kissing, etc) or do you find that orgasms specifically really are the best medicine?

I admit I am speaking more from the side of someone who has bipolar but leaving the question open to any diagnosis.

 

[IsItBad]

maybe

i do believe sex can help......and good orgasms can help too
but in reality it is simply self medication or at least medication
it is the attempt to somehow assuage the unrest or pain and suffering in ones mind

for some people its easier done with medication or alcohol or marijuana
but for others sex will do nicely

for some that sort of sex in itself becomes and addiction which then leads to potentially dangerous liasons

there is plenty of proof on this subject in peer reviewed journal articles among psychologists and psychiatrists

i contend that safe sex with a consensual person is as good a path as any of the normal mind altering drugs or the abuse of alcohol or any other addictive substances

it is possible, though, to actually understand the cycles that cause these kinds of needs and at least be able to manage them in a somewhat responsible way

xoxo

 

[blulilacgrl]

i do believe sex can help......and good orgasms can help too
but in reality it is simply self medication or at least medication
it is the attempt to somehow assuage the unrest or pain and suffering in ones mind

for some people its easier done with medication or alcohol or marijuana
but for others sex will do nicely

for some that sort of sex in itself becomes and addiction which then leads to potentially dangerous liasons

there is plenty of proof on this subject in peer reviewed journal articles among psychologists and psychiatrists

i contend that safe sex with a consensual person is as good a path as any of the normal mind altering drugs or the abuse of alcohol or any other addictive substances

it is possible, though, to actually understand the cycles that cause these kinds of needs and at least be able to manage them in a somewhat responsible way

xoxo

Here's my situation (not that you asked but well...). My husband is a good man. Great father, wonderful partner, funny, sweet, sexy, the whole package. Except he has this thing where he wants to provide materially. He loves to give me gifts. It's the old issue of I have all the things I could want but not the thing I feel I really need. And lately as we get older, the differences in our libido is growing ever wider. He gets stressed at work (trying to make all the money so he can give me things) meanwhile, I deal with bouts of hypersexuality and all his gifts begin to feel like some type of agreement, wherein I agree not to hassle him for sex and in return I get stuff. Stuff that honestly, I could give two shits about. I have tried everything I can to get him to see this. I've tried calmly discussing it with him. I've tried crying and screaming. But no matter what I say I can't seem to get him to see it.

This past year I've noticed that when I am able to badger him and get sex (even just 2-3 times a week), my moods are more manageable and I don't have the highs and lows as frequently. Yes I'm on meds but those don't stop the swings completely, they just make the cycles somewhat fewer and not as dramatic. So now I'm trying to find some evidentiary proof (at this point even if it's anecdotal) to support a discussion with him. I want him to see that all the stuff in the world isn't what I need and for all that's it's nice, it isn't helping me. It isn't good for me mentally.

In addition to the basic need, I find the constant crying and begging is actually an even bigger detriment as I begin to feel worthless and to an extent crazy. I have found a way to manage every other symptom. But this is one that I cannot manage on my own. And his lack of understanding and consistent view of "oh she is feeling bad, I'll buy her something" is not helping.

Ugh...this was long and rambling but we had yet another argument last night and I find myself struggling yet again with how to get him to see what is going on. I guess a part of me is hoping if I can hit him with science (he is a very logical brain person), maybe that will get through to him.

 

[HampshireBoy]

From having a couple of friends with Bipolar my experience is that sex and orgasms CAN help mood but also when they are manic they can completely obsess about sex - causing issues in itself.

When they are on a "minor" low, orgasms do seem to release endorphins and help. Though I have experienced problems where they are suffering low self esteem and letting unscrupulous men exploit them. Both of them are often better off masturbating rather than getting involved with others.

When on "minor" manic high, again orgasms seem to help them level off. I know that one of them has on occasion spent an entire day playing with herself - it seems to be a symptom of her mania.

I have experienced both of them on a manic phase, to the point that they were sectioned, and both of them were totally obsessed with sex - turning every phrase into an inuendo.

 

[blulilacgrl]

From having a couple of friends with Bipolar my experience is that sex and orgasms CAN help mood but also when they are manic they can completely obsess about sex - causing issues in itself.

When they are on a "minor" low, orgasms do seem to release endorphins and help. Though I have experienced problems where they are suffering low self esteem and letting unscrupulous men exploit them. Both of them are often better off masturbating rather than getting involved with others.

When on "minor" manic high, again orgasms seem to help them level off. I know that one of them has on occasion spent an entire day playing with herself - it seems to be a symptom of her mania.

I have experienced both of them on a manic phase, to the point that they were sectioned, and both of them were totally obsessed with sex - turning every phrase into an inuendo.

Yes! Oh you get it! And yeah I can relate to spending all day with myself. Lol. It happens occasionally but lately it bothers me because I have a husband! I shouldn't have to do it myself which feeds into a spiral.

Thank you!

 

[HampshireBoy]

Yes! Oh you get it! And yeah I can relate to spending all day with myself. Lol. It happens occasionally but lately it bothers me because I have a husband! I shouldn't have to do it myself which feeds into a spiral.

Thank you!

It took me a while to get that these friends needed orgasms but what they really needed (even if they didn't know it themselves) was to feel safe and that meant support from me - not necessarily me participating and often just holding and stroking, not fucking them. Which caused a few issues for a while, as I was reacting to their words rather than their moods - if a lady sends you naughty texts like "my pussy is so wet thinking about your hard cock" a natural response is to rush round I learnt that sometimes what was needed was sexting but other times what was needed was a visit to check on medication and mood.

What I have learnt over the last few years is that there is no simple one size fits all answer.

 

[blulilacgrl]

It took me a while to get that these friends needed orgasms but what they really needed (even if they didn't know it themselves) was to feel safe and that meant support from me - not necessarily me participating and often just holding and stroking, not fucking them. Which caused a few issues for a while, as I was reacting to their words rather than their moods - if a lady sends you naughty texts like "my pussy is so wet thinking about your hard cock" a natural response is to rush round I learnt that sometimes what was needed was sexting but other times what was needed was a visit to check on medication and mood.

What I have learnt over the last few years is that there is no simple one size fits all answer.

Feeling safe and loved in those moments when I feel the most unlovable is hugely important. Hubby is hit or miss on that. Sometimes he catches my cycle before I do and sometimes he is oblivious until I'm right in the middle of it.

I've just noticed that my sex drive kicks into overdrive when I'm starting to go either way (either manic or depressive). Maybe I'm just now noticing it because as we are getting older, our sexual libidos are diverging. Or maybe I've just been focusing on other symptoms of it and trying to get those under control.

We had a talk the other day and he was actually surprised to find that sex could be such an important part of giving me the mental stability I need. So crossing fingers that we will be able to find a middle ground.

 

[MissMandy86]

Definitely... i was raped at a young age and have problems reaching an orgasm from vaginal sex

 

[Ssbbw4u1974]

I'm gonna try to reopen this threads... As it fits me to a Capital T.
I lost my spouse almost 2 years ago, and within a couple months I found Lit, found people to mutually masturbate with online, or just masturbated sometimes a few times a day just to relieve the depression, and satisfy the hypersexuality.
Now, I'm still "horny" even though I'm going through menopause, and play often... It's not as much as when my bipolar is in overdrive.

 

[live4thebj]

No, sex wasn’t helpful. In fact when I am going through an episode sex is the last thing on my mind. But thanks for meds things are a lot better and saved my relationship.

 

[Rob_Royale]

My wife suffers from depression and it does help her. However she prefers to start by herself and then after she's had a chance to get the dopamine and endorphins going, she gets me involved. She will usually time it so that she's ready when I walk through the door after work. Makes for a hell of an evening.

 

[dreamysub]

There is for me, for some strange reason. I can be mega depressed and yet I still wanna fuck like a rabbit lol. It kinda helps me release the tension I usualy feel. It's nice to feel good for a while and sex and submission simply do that for me.

 

[MidKnight1378]

I don’t know if sex is actually a cure or treatment for any psychosis but I know for me and my wife it is a wonderful way to relieve stress and irritability.

 

[putinsnaziiimaiden]

Definitely... i was raped at a young age and have problems reaching an orgasm from vaginal sex

that is a tuff thing. i always feel like wife needs a really creative approach and patience as she also has early childhood trauma like that.

the sex can be really healing and stranfe sometimes. its definitely gotten more confortable and passionate over the years. the explorationof her psyche such a turn on.