Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can be caused by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event such as a serious accident, physical or sexual assault, or war and conflict. It is often characterized by intrusive, painful memories, flashbacks, or nightmares about the event. avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the event. increased emotional and physical responses to stimuli. and negative changes in mood or thinking.
Previous research has revealed an association between PTSD and sexual difficulties, but can PTSD really cause sexual dysfunction? Experts believe that PTSD symptoms may contribute to sexual difficulties if intrusive thoughts or flashbacks occur during sexual activity, the person feels emotionally or physically vulnerable during sex, the sexual activity or aspects of it remind the person of the traumatic event and/or negative beliefs or hypersensitivity to stimuli makes it difficult to be present during the experience.
Because combat exposure can often cause PTSD, it is one of the most common mental health conditions affecting United States veterans and military personnel. Therefore, the authors of a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine The study sought to elucidate the nuanced relationship between PTSD and sexual difficulties through a systematic review of studies related to the topic in this population.
The systematic review yielded a total of 43 studies (in English) that investigated the relationship between PTSD and sexual problems in US veterans and military personnel. These 43 studies were then divided into categories based on sexual outcome, including: overall sexual function, sexual desire, sexual arousal, erectile dysfunction, orgasmic function, premature ejaculation, sexual pain, sexual satisfaction, sexual discomfort, frequency of sexual activity, and importance of sex.
Careful analysis of the identified studies confirmed that PTSD is associated with an increased risk of one or more sexual difficulties, although not necessarily in all categories. For example, some of the studies examining the relationship between PTSD and sexual function in veterans and military personnel showed nonsignificant associations (as in the case of sexual arousal) or mixed results (orgasmic function, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, sexual pain, and frequency sexual activity).
However, the association between PTSD and sexual difficulties was most evident in the categories of overall sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire (the state of motivation for sexual activity), and sexual distress (worry, frustration, or anxiety about sexual activity). .
Overall, studies in these categories confirmed a weak to moderate association between PTSD and said sexual difficulty. However, the authors point out that many of these studies did not take into account other variables that may play a role in sexual function, such as depression.
Furthermore, the studies identified in this review did not measure sexual outcomes or assess PTSD symptoms in a consistent manner, which limits the ability to truly compare their results. Additional research addressing these limitations would be beneficial to further illuminate the association between PTSD and sexual difficulties.
However, the results of this study suggest that veterans and military personnel suffering from PTSD may be at higher risk of experiencing at least one sexual difficulty. Individuals with PTSD may find it beneficial to discuss their sexual health with a trusted health care provider to identify possible coping strategies and/or treatment options.
Resources:
Bird, ER, Piccirillo, M., Garcia, N., Blais, R., & Campbell, S. (2021). Relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and sexual difficulties: a systematic review of veterans and military personnel. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 18(8), 1398-1426. https://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(21)00517-8/fulltext.
Mayo Clinic. (2018, July 6). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967.
