When soldiers return home from combat, they often face challenges in reintegrating into their families and communities. One area where tensions can arise is in the bedroom. Deployment has a significant impact on sexuality and intimacy, which can make it harder for couples to maintain the same level of physical and emotional connection they had before the soldier's service. This article will explore some of the ways in which sexual harmony becomes both more difficult and more essential after deployment, and discuss some of the internal conflicts that may arise during this transition.
The Transition Back to Civilian Life
Deployment takes a toll on all aspects of a person's life, including their relationship with their partner. Soldiers may experience changes in their attitudes towards sex and intimacy due to the traumas they have witnessed or experienced while deployed. They may feel disconnected from their bodies and have difficulty feeling pleasure during sex. Their partners may also struggle to understand why their loved ones are acting differently. These factors can create distance between couples and make it difficult to sustain sexual harmony.
Physical Changes
Combat can cause physical injuries and alterations in hormone levels that affect a person's body.
A soldier who experiences blast-induced brain injury may develop depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can lead to decreased libido and difficulty achieving orgasm. Survivors of burns or other forms of physical trauma may experience painful sensations during sex.
Soldiers may lose or gain weight while deployed, which can change the way their partners view them physically. All these issues can contribute to difficulties in sexuality and intimacy.
Emotional and Psychological Barriers
After deployment, soldiers may find themselves experiencing emotional and psychological barriers that make it challenging to connect emotionally and physically with their partners. They may become numb to physical touch or express more aggression than usual. This behavior can be confusing for their partners and may result in misunderstandings about what their partners need from them. Combat veterans may also suffer from guilt over surviving when others did not, leading to feelings of shame or self-loathing that interfere with sexual desire.
Communication Breakdown
Communication breakdown is another obstacle that couples face after deployment. Soldiers may struggle to articulate how they feel about intimacy and sexual activity due to the trauma they have experienced. Their partners may not understand why they are distant or unresponsive during sex. These conflicts can lead to frustration and resentment on both sides, further complicating efforts to reestablish sexual harmony.
Internal Conflicts
Internal conflicts can arise as a soldier transitions back into civilian life. They may feel disconnected from their partner and long for the camaraderie and excitement of military service. This can lead to infidelity or other destructive behaviors that damage relationships. On the other hand, some soldiers may experience hyper-vigilance and constant fear that makes it difficult to relax and enjoy intimate moments. These internal conflicts can create a cycle of distrust and tension that undermines any attempt at reconciliation.
Returning home from deployment presents unique challenges for couples' sexuality and intimacy. Sexual harmony becomes both more essential and more difficult as soldiers navigate these changes.
By communicating openly and honestly, seeking professional help if needed, and giving each other time and space to adjust, couples can overcome these obstacles and regain the closeness they once had.
In what ways does sexual harmony become both more difficult and more essential after the stress of deployment, and what internal conflicts arise during this transition?
The reintegration into civilian life is often challenging for military personnel who have experienced traumatic events while deployed abroad. The return home brings with it new challenges that can affect all areas of life, including sexual intimacy. One significant challenge is the physical and mental scars that may remain from combat experiences, which may impact sexual activity.