New Study Reveals Link Between Early Sexual Intercourse and Major Depressive Disorder
A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders sheds light on the potential relationship between sexual behaviors and major depressive disorder (MDD). The research specifically focuses on two sexual factors: early sexual intercourse and the number of sexual partners a person has had.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Zhe Lu, aimed to determine if there is a cause-and-effect relationship between these sexual behaviors and MDD. Previous research has suggested a link between early sexual intercourse and mental health issues, including MDD. However, the causal nature of this relationship has remained unclear.
To explore this further, Lu and colleagues utilized publicly available databases, including the UK Biobank and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. They obtained genetic predictors for sexual factors and MDD from these databases, as well as genetic predictors for other risky behaviors such as self-harm, substance abuse, and tobacco use.
Using a technique known as Mendelian randomization, which leverages genetic variants as instrumental variables, the researchers analyzed the data. Their analysis revealed a significant causal effect of sexual behavior on MDD. Early sexual intercourse and having more sexual partners increased the risk of MDD. Remarkably, each additional year of delay in the age at first sexual intercourse was associated with a 6% reduction in the risk of MDD.
The study had several strengths, including the use of large-scale genetic data and careful consideration of potential confounders. However, limitations should also be taken into account. The study focused solely on the European population, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the reliance on self-reported data for sexual factors and MDD introduces the possibility of recall bias and measurement error.
Despite these limitations, the findings contribute to the growing research on the relationship between sexual factors and mental health outcomes. Discovering a causal effect of early sexual intercourse on MDD suggests that interventions aimed at delaying the age at first sexual intercourse may have potential benefits in preventing or reducing the risk of MDD.
The study emphasizes the importance of addressing depression among sexually active adolescents and highlights the potential role of risky behaviors as mediators in this relationship. These findings have significant implications for the prevention and management of MDD.
The research, entitled “Identifying causal associations between early sexual intercourse or number of sexual partners and major depressive disorders: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis,” was authored by Zhe Lu and colleagues.