Sexual dysfunction in male posttraumatic stress disorder patients.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested that sexual dysfunction may be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet such studies have not examined a full range of sexual functioning and have not accounted for the possibility that medication used to treat PTSD may contribute to sexual dysfunction.


OBJECTIVE
The current study compares the various components of sexual functioning among three groups of males: (1) untreated PTSD patients (n = 15), (2) PTSD patients currently treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) agents (n = 27) and (3) a group of normal controls (n = 49).


METHODS
All participants completed an 18-item questionnaire for assessment of sexual functioning. Those with PTSD also completed the Impact of Events Scale and the Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90).


RESULTS
Untreated and treated PTSD patients had significantly poorer sexual functioning in all domains (desire, arousal, orgasm, activity and satisfaction) as compared to normal controls. Those treated with SSRI had greater impairment in desire, arousal and frequency of sexual activity with a partner. There was a high correlation between sexual dysfunction among the PTSD group and the anger-hostility subscale of the SCL-90.


CONCLUSIONS
PTSD appears to be associated with pervasive sexual dysfunction that is exacerbated by treatment with SSRIs. PTSD may represent a heterogeneous syndrome. Patients with PTSD have a high rate of comorbid panic disorder, major depression and anxiety, and it could thus be argued that these comorbid disorders, rather than PTSD, accounted for the observed result. Future research aimed at understanding comorbidity and heterogeneity should help to illuminate the psychobiology of PTSD and eventually guide both medication and psychosocial treatments.
Kotler
M
M
Ministry of Health Mental Health Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Cohen
H
H
Aizenberg
D
D
Matar
M
M
Loewenthal
U
U
Kaplan
Z
Z
Miodownik
H
H
Zemishlany
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors