Trauma can have many negative effects on an individual's mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse. Trauma can also cause physical injuries such as brain damage, broken bones, and spinal cord injuries that require extensive medical treatment to recover from. Combat exposure can be particularly devastating, leading to a host of physical and psychological symptoms.
Sexual consequences of trauma include difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, decreased libido, and premature ejaculation. It may also lead to painful intercourse and increased sensitivity to touch. Some victims of trauma report feeling numbness or tingling during sexual activity. Others experience flashbacks to their traumatic event, which makes it difficult to focus on the present moment. For some people, trauma can make them feel like sex is wrong or dirty. All of these factors can lead to emotional distance between partners, which further exacerbates the problem.
The body responds to injury in similar ways to trauma. Injured individuals often suffer from chronic pain and muscle weakness, both of which can affect sexual function. Injury can also cause nerve damage that results in reduced sensation or pain during sex. Sex after an injury may become uncomfortable due to scars or stitches in sensitive areas.
Victims of injury may struggle with self-image issues, making it harder for them to engage in intimate relationships.
Combat veterans face unique challenges when it comes to sexuality. The stress of combat can cause hypersexual behavior, where they seek out sex as a way to cope with their experiences. Others have difficulty connecting with partners because they are haunted by memories of warfare and find intimacy difficult. They may be unable to express themselves emotionally during sex or feel detached from their partner. Many vets struggle with feelings of guilt and shame regarding their sexual desires, further isolating them from loved ones.
What sexual consequences stem from trauma, injury, or combat exposure?
Traumatic events such as injury, illness, or combat exposure may lead to physical and mental health issues that can affect sexual functioning. Physical injuries may cause pain during sex, while emotional trauma can lead to difficulties with intimacy and trust. Additionally, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts may interfere with sexual desire and arousal.