The traumatic experience of combat can have profound effects on an individual's physical and mental health, including their sexual functioning and romantic relationships. Research has shown that exposure to violence can lead to changes in hormone levels, cognitive processing, and emotional regulation, which may impact sexual desire, arousal, and performance.
Combat veterans often report difficulties achieving orgasm or maintaining erections, as well as decreased libido and overall satisfaction with sexual activity. These symptoms can persist long after combat is over, affecting both individuals and their partners.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues commonly co-occur with military service and are associated with further sexual dysfunction.
Relationship distress is common among couples where one partner has experienced combat, and this may contribute to reduced sexual desire, intimacy, and trust.
There are also positive aspects of the combat experience that may enhance sexuality and relational satisfaction, such as increased self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. The present study examined how these factors interact to influence sexual functioning over time among veterans. Data were collected from a sample of married or partnered male and female veterans who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan between 20015 and 2018. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their experiences of combat, PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, sexual functioning, and relational satisfaction at baseline and follow-up intervals of 6, 12, and 18 months. Results indicated that greater exposure to combat was related to poorer sexual functioning, particularly for women, while lower levels of depression and anxiety were associated with better outcomes. Further analyses revealed that sexual desire declined more rapidly in relationships where participants reported higher levels of PTSD symptoms or less frequent physical intimacy.
The findings suggest that the impacts of trauma on sex and romantic relationships are complex and multifaceted, but may be mitigated by factors such as supportive partnerships, effective coping strategies, and mental health treatment.
How do experiences of combat influence sexual trust, desire, and relational satisfaction over time?
The experience of combat is known to have significant effects on individuals' psychology, including their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships with others. Among these effects are changes in how they perceive intimacy, trust, and safety within romantic partnerships. A study by Singer et al. (2017) revealed that veterans who had experienced combat exhibited lower levels of interpersonal trust and relationship quality than non-veteran counterparts.