Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Carry a Higher Risk of Sexual Dysfunctions?

Abstract

Introduction Previous studies have shown that patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a higher incidence of sexual dysfunction. However, such studies have not examined the influence of traumatic experience on sexual dysfunction. Aim This study was conducted to compare various components of sexual functioning among five groups of males: (i) untreated patients with PTSD; (ii) patients with PTSD treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); (iii) untreated patients with subthreshold PTSD symptoms; (iv) patients with subthreshold PTSD symptoms treated with SSRIs; and (v) subjects who had suffered a traumatic experience but presented no mental disorder. Methods All participants were evaluated using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Structured Clinical Interview, and the International Index of Erectile Function. Main Outcome Measures Results on individual subscales of the International Index of Erectile Function in men with PTSD symptoms and subthreshold PTSD symptoms, treated and untreated. Results Patients with PTSD did not differ from patients with subthreshold PTSD symptoms in any of the domains of sexual functioning. Differences were found between this group and subjects with no mental disorder only in the domain of sexual desire. Patients with subthreshold PTSD symptoms treated with SSRIs showed better results in all domains of sexual functioning in comparison with those treated with PTSD. Conclusions The results show that patients who suffered a traumatic experience have the same level of sexual functioning (or the same incidence of sexual dysfunction) regardless of the severity of PTSD. Treatment with SSRIs helps reduce sexual problems in patients with subthreshold PTSD symptoms.

Sexuelle Dysfunktionen bei Frauen mit Posttraumatischer Belastungsstörung - ein Übersichtsartikel

“…Dem wiedersprechen jedoch Befunde von Arbanas [2010], der das gleiche Ausmaß sexueller Dysfunktionen bei nicht sexuell traumatisierten Männern, die eine PTBS entwickelten, im Vergleich zu nicht sexuell traumatisierten Männern, die keine PTBS entwickelten, fand. Demnach war das Vorliegen einer PTBS nicht ausschlaggebend für das Vorliegen sexueller Dysfunktionen.…”

“…DBT-PTSD [Bohus et al, 2013] [Tran et al, 2015;Büttner et al, 2014;Yehuda et al, 2015]. Dies wurde bislang vornehmlich im Bereich von nichtsexueller Traumatisierung festgestellt, wobei sich Studien vor allem zu sexuellen Dysfunktionen bei Kriegsveteranen finden lassen [Tran et al, 2015;Arbanas, 2010]. Insgesamt zeichnen diese Studien ein ähnli-ches Bild wie bei weiblichen Dysfunktionen im Kontext einer PTBS-Erkrankung, wobei Männer tendenziell häufiger «hypersexuelle Störungen» (Risikosexualität, zwanghafte Sexualität) zeigten als Frauen [Büttner et al, 2014].…”

A rare symptom in posttraumatic stress disorder: Spontaneous ejaculation

“…Premature ejaculation, loss of libido, and difficulty maintaining an erection are the most common sexual dysfunctions in PTSD patients [2–4]. Various mechanisms have been proposed to play a role in causing sexual dysfunction in PTSD patients [9]. Numbing of responsiveness and a general lessening of affect that manifest as avoidance behaviors in PTSD patients are thought to be associated with sexual dysfunction that occurs following traumatic life events [3,9].…”

“…Various mechanisms have been proposed to play a role in causing sexual dysfunction in PTSD patients [9]. Numbing of responsiveness and a general lessening of affect that manifest as avoidance behaviors in PTSD patients are thought to be associated with sexual dysfunction that occurs following traumatic life events [3,9]. Physiological arousal caused by sexual activity can initiate memories of trauma and other re-experiencing phenomena [3].…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Comorbid Sexual Dysfunctions

“…These problems might be associated with the antidepressant therapy (Antičević & Britvić 2008). Another Croatian study revealed that the population exposed to traumatic event(s) had the same level of sexual functioning (or the same incidence of sexual dysfunction) regardless of the absence or presence of PTSD symptoms and their severity (Arbanas 2010).…”