title: PTSD and Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Difficulties in sexual desire and function often occur in persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but many questions remain regarding the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of sexual problems in PTSD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review was to present a model of sexual dysfunction in PTSD underpinned by an inability to regulate and redirect the physiological arousal needed for healthy sexual function away from aversive hyperarousal and intrusive memories.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review pertaining to PTSD and sexual function was conducted. Evidence for the comorbidity of sexual dysfunction and PTSD is presented, and biological and psychological mechanisms that may underlie this co-occurrence are proposed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This manuscript presents evidence of sexual dysfunction in conjunction with PTSD, and of the neurobiology and neuroendocrinology of PTSD and sexual function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sexual dysfunction following trauma exposure may be mediated by PTSD-related biological, cognitive, and affective processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of PTSD must include attention to sexual dysfunction and vice versa.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yehuda
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Care Center, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lehrner
authors.affiliation: Department of Sex Therapy, Inner Stability, Ltd., Bet Shemesh, Israel.
authors.forename: Talli Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Neurobiology; Neuroendocrinology; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Sexual Dysfunction