Subjective effects of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) on human sexual function
Z. Zemishlany, Dov Aizenberg, Abraham Weizman
European Psychiatry March 1, 2001 DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(01)00551-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 35 |
| Population | Healthy recreational MDMA users (20 men and 15 women, aged 21-48 years) |
| Intervention | 3 |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Sexual function |
| Citations | 70 |
| Key findings | MDMA increases desire and satisfaction in over 90% of users but impairs erection in 40% of men, suggesting a trade-off between enhanced subjective experience and impaired performance. |
Abstract
Abstract Sexual function following 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or ‘Ecstasy’) consumption was subjectively evaluated in 35 healthy recreational users (20 men and 15 women, aged 21–48 years) with regard to four major domains of sexual activity: desire, erection (lubrication in women), orgasm and satisfaction. Desire and satisfaction were moderately to profoundly increased by MDMA in more than 90% of subjects. Orgasm was delayed but perceived as more intense. Erection was impaired in 40% of the men. It seems that MDMA impairs sexual performance, in spite of enhancement of sexual desire and the perception of greater satisfaction.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Pharmacosex: Reimagining sex, drugs and enhancement International Journal of Drug Policy November 24, 2020
- Does MDMA have treatment potential in sexual dysfunction? A systematic review of outcomes across the female and male sexual response cycles. Sexual medicine reviews December 23, 2023
- Can research on entactogens contribute to a deeper understanding of human sexuality? Pharmacological Reports December 1, 2023
- The History of MDMA June 29, 2023
- Sexual effects of commonly used recreational psychostimulants in women and the female rat model. Sexual medicine reviews June 26, 2024
and 13 more in the library
Cites 3
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
- MDMA and Human Sexual Function Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Subjective reports on the effects of the MDMA ('ecstasy') experience in humans. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry November 1995