How PTSD affects Sexual Relationships for both Men and Women

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a life-changing disorder to have. It is the product of extremely high-stress levels, normally after a single traumatic experience or series of traumatic experiences. This disorder has and is affecting approximately 3.6% of the world's population. Physical, sexual, and emotional aspects of someone struggling with PTSD are severely affected. This article will be talking about the various effects that PTSD has on the sexual relationships of men and women.

 

PTSD affects sexual relationships in several ways. This includes that it may produce or worsen negative mood, sexual dysfunction, worsen sexual and general confidence, increase anxiety, self-consciousness, and worsen how you react to consensual sexual experiences afterward. There are also many more unlisted impacts of PTSD on sexual relationships.

 

Effects of PTSD on Sexual Relationships

 

Insecurity

The most prominent effect it has is that it destroys a person's ability to feel secure and safe within a relationship. It heightens vulnerabilities and creates a hard-to-crack barrier around the person's relations, making one extra cautious when vulnerable, which can have several impacts on a relationship, especially sexual relationships. PTSD symptoms such as the inability to sleep well each night, guilt, flashbacks, and nightmares would significantly impact a person's day-to-day life and mood. The levels of one's irritability would be at an all-time high, making having a sensual experience much more difficult for them. Feeling safe and secure in a relationship is crucial as it keeps the mind calm and provides stability to life; however, this feeling is made so isolated by the results of PTSD that it is often extremely difficult for a person to stay calm in a relationship.

 

Lowers Sex Drive     

The sexual functioning and performance of both men and women can be deeply affected by PTSD, and elevated anxiety can interfere with intimacy as it causes lower libido. Due to the suppression of the sex hormones that impact your desire for sex, pleasure from this activity will be emotionally difficult for those who suffer with PTSD as they're more likely to be self-conscious about their appearance and not be fully focused during intimate moments. According to a sex therapist, Marissa Nelson, "When we experience anxiety, blood flows away from our extremities and genitals to protect our vital organs. We need that blood flow for sex".

This further reinforces the point that PTSD deeply affects men's and women's sexual performance and functioning. Anxiety is a common symptom related to PTSD, so it is frequent that those who have PTSD also suffer from lower sex drive and the difficulty to gain pleasure from it. This can have a large impact on sexual relationships as it causes a tough emotional challenge to overcome and puts certain extents of boundaries on these relationships.

 

 

May lead to Post-coital Dysphoria

PTSD sometimes causes symptoms of another disorder called Post-coital dysphoria, also known as PCD, a condition that causes feelings of sadness, agitation, and crying after intercourse. This is mainly due to childhood sexual abuse or other traumatic experiences involving sex. This can have immeasurable effects on sexual relationships, impacting how you feel and how your partner(s) may feel after intercourse. And could ultimately ruin your relationship if you or your partner feels guilt or become upset seeing you, or being in, such a negative state after sex. Someone with PTSD and related symptoms of PCD may develop resentment towards sexual relationships and could try to avoid them at all costs.

 

Absent-Minded

PTSD can lead to dissociation, depersonalization, and derealisation. All of which distract the mind from the body any time of the day, significantly during sex. Dissociation is the sense of being detached from yourself and your emotions. This clearly can have multiple impacts on sexual relationships as your mind would be increasingly detached from your current situation, resulting in the lack of arousal and other physical sensations. For you and your partner(s) to have a pleasurable time during intercourse, you must be present in the moment, relaxed and concentrated. Unfortunately for those who suffer from PTSD, staying relaxed is exceptionally strenuous.

 

Solution

However, to an extent, these devastating effects of PTSD on sexual relationships can be partly or completely subdued by certain treatment methods such as:

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
•  Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
•  Antidepressant prescriptions or just monitoring your symptoms over time to watch for worsening or improvements.

 

Many organizations are dedicated to supporting people experiencing PTSD; if you are struggling with PTSD, please know some people are there to support you. Reach out to local support systems like charities, mental health services, or your friendship groups.

 

Written by: Kieran Wilson