Women's Sexual Desire, Trauma Exposure, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with sexual dysfunction; however, there is a paucity of research examining the relations among trauma exposure, PTSD, and low sexual desire, specifically. Thus, the goal of the present study was to investigate whether women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD; n = 132) were more likely to meet criteria for a diagnosis of current or lifetime PTSD relative to women with no sexual desire concerns (n = 137). We also sought to compare the type, frequency, and intensity of PTSD symptoms between the two groups. Finally, we examined whether women in the two groups were exposed to more, or different types of, potentially traumatic events. Compared to women with no sexual health concerns, women with HSDD were more likely to meet criteria for current PTSD, odds ratio (OR) = 5.50, 95% CI [1.18, 25.61]; and lifetime PTSD, OR = 2.78, 95% CI [1.56, 4.94]. Women in the HSDD group also had higher odds of meeting criteria for avoidance (5.10 times) and hyperarousal symptoms (4.48 times) and scored higher on measures of past‐month PTSD symptom frequency, d = 0.62, and intensity, d = 0.57. No group differences were observed regarding reexperiencing symptoms, the associated features of PTSD, or type or frequency of exposure to potentially traumatic events. The findings indicate PTSD symptomatology may be a predisposing or perpetuating contributor to low sexual desire, and low sexual desire and PTSD may be related through an alteration in stress adaptability.

What is sexual wellbeing and why does it matter for public health?

“…This practice implies restorative approaches that acknowledge and address adverse sexual experiences, trauma that resonates through the life course, and the effects on sexual wellbeing. 16,17 Sex positivity is central to a public health relevant concept of sexual wellbeing. Trauma-informed, sex positive practices refer to perspectives and approaches that emphasise contributions of sexuality and sexual expression to overall wellbeing.…”

Reduced Sexual Desire in Young Norwegian Women: A Mixed-Methods Study

“…These experiences contributed to their reduced sexual desire, which is in accordance with previous research (Garneau-Fournier et al, 2017 ). In the study, women’s reduced sexual desire may be a result of negative associations with sexual activity attached to the aversive sexual experience (O’Loughlin & Brotto, 2020 ). Moreover, it has been found that experiencing trauma in childhood is associated with sexual problems later in adulthood for women of all ages (O’Loughlin et al, 2020 ).…”

Diagnosing Desire: Biopolitics and Femininity into the Twenty-First Century

“…Recently, some clinical and experimental sex researchers have begun to explore the connection between mindfulness and BDSM. Brotto, for instance, has coauthored a few studies of clinical considerations regarding BDSM practitioners (see Dunkley & Brotto, 2018Dunkley, Henshaw, Henshaw, & Brotto, 2020); I am excited and hopeful about this new line of research and hope to see Brotto and other sex researchers and therapists who have focused on mindfulness further explore the meditative components of BDSM, in addition to exploring the connections between trauma and low desire, more broadly (see O'Loughlin & Brotto, 2020). not something super normative in my life.…”