Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Resolution of sexual dysfunction during acute treatment of major depression with milnacipran
David Baldwin1, Ricardo A Moreno, Mike Briley
1Clinical Neuroscience Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Objective:
The sexual function and enjoyment questionnaire (SFEQ) was developed to assess and detect changes in sexual function in men and women. The aim of the present study was to use the SFEQ to evaluate the effects of the serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, milnacipran, in the treatment of depression in two culturally different populations.
Methods:
The SFEQ was employed in two studies investigating milnacipran in the treatment of major depression: a 12-week open study in Brazil and a 6-week randomised controlled study in Europe.
Results:
At endpoint, 61.3% (Brazil) and 78.4% (Europe) of patients had >or=50% reduction of baseline Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD) score. All SFEQ items showed improvements in sexual function in both studies at endpoint, 60% (Brazil) and 56% (Europe) of patients stating that their sexual desire was as great as or greater than it had been before their depressive episode.
Conclusions:
Milnacipran appears to improve sexual function in parallel with improvement in other symptoms of depression. The SFEQ is a sensitive instrument for measuring changes in sexual function and appears to be unaffected by cultural differences as shown by similar findings in Brazil and Europe.
Related Concept Videos
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Depression: Overview

