Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can affect someone who has either experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a serious accident, sexual abuse, war, conflict, and sexual violence
Some symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, shame, avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of the event, having difficulties concentrating, fear, guilt, changes in your mood or temperaments, changes in sexual arousal, etc.
If you have PTSD, pleasurable activities that excite you become filled with a high alert for danger. It also significantly affects your quality of life.
Can PTSD affect your sexual function? The answer is yes.
Here Are Some Ways It Can Affect Your Sexual Function;
Lowers frequency of sexual activity
According to research, PTSD tends to lessen your urge for sexual activities. This is because it requires you to be vulnerable with your partner during sex and this can be very difficult as well as unappealing if you have experienced a traumatic event. Sexual encounters with you may trigger flashbacks and negative changes in mood as a result, you might choose to avoid it or engage in it less often.
Reduces sexual desires
It has been observed that the presence of PTSD in individuals weakens their sexual drive. Having a healthy sexual desire requires the absence of fear which is why if you have PTSD, you may experience a lower sexual desire than your partner. Also, some medications for a mental health condition reduce your desire as well as arousal for sex.
Experiences difficulty in intimate relationships
Negative changes in your mood or temperaments as a result of PTSD makes it more difficult for you to trust others or maintain relationships. Engaging in sexual activities with your partner requires some level of trust and intimacy. This could affect your sex life as well as cause sexual dissatisfaction.
Sexual Dysfunctions
PTSD increases your risk of sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic dysfunction and erectile dysfunction which is commonly caused by anxiety and stress. When your body is constantly in a state of stress and fear, it prevents you from relaxing which makes you emotionally disconnected from your sexual partner. This can also cause problems in your ability to engage in sex, difficulty in reaching orgasm, and maintaining an erection during sex.
Conclusion
If you discover that you might be suffering from PTSD and it has affected your sexual activity, you should discuss your sexual health with a trusted doctor or therapist to get treatment options and possible coping mechanisms
