This is an excerpt from my upcoming book, We Get Better: 48 Treatment Options for Chronic Depression.

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Treatment option 31: Improving your sex life

Sex is a powerful emotional and physical experience: a natural, healthy high that can significantly improve your mood. It offers a peak experience and can also increase partner intimacy. Though improving your sex life isn’t a traditional depression treatment, people with mood disorders might greatly benefit from investing in this area of life.

And an investment it is. In Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections, sex educator Emily Nagoski discusses some of the relational improvements, planning skills and perspective changes that might be needed to build a fulfilling, satisfying sex life. “Center pleasure,” she emphasizes, over and over again. Sounds like a depression treatment to me.

Nagoski’s first book on the subject, Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life, is equally enlightening. It discusses sexual desire, sexual functioning and sexual myths. If sex is important to you, read this one, too.

Depression can reduce sexual desire, and so can some depression medications. In either case, consult with your medical provider and find out what options are available.

If desired, add “improving my sex life” to your depression treatment plan. Then decide on next steps and write them on your to-do lists.