Sexual Trauma Among Veterans: Silence and Underestimation of the Issue

Sex after war is a topic that few discuss but plays a significant role in the lives of military veterans returning from the frontlines. Many of them have endured severe injuries, concussions, or even captivity, and these military traumas can have a profound impact on their intimate lives.

According to estimates, up to 85% of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience sexual dysfunctions. However, this is a subject that often goes unspoken, and despite the high prevalence of the problem, systemic support for addressing these issues remains insufficient.

One veteran, who returned from the frontlines, shared his story. After a concussion obtained during a full-scale invasion, he began experiencing significant problems with his sexual life. For the first time in his life, he faced such difficulties, and it had serious consequences for his relationships.

The man's psychological state also changed significantly. He started to experience fear and anxiety. In one instance during sex, he accidentally injured his girlfriend by striking her against a cabinet door. This trauma became the final straw, and he decided to completely cease sexual relations out of fear of harming his partner.

Such stories, where the sexual behavior and psychological well-being of soldiers change after injuries, are quite common. However, few acknowledge this problem, and few provide assistance to veterans in resolving this complex situation. Concussions obtained on the frontlines are indeed serious traumas, and if veterans have experienced multiple such injuries, it only exacerbates the situation.

It is important to note that systemic support for veterans facing sexual traumas after war leaves much to be desired. Many of them encounter problems but cannot find the necessary support to address these issues.

Sviatoslava Fedorets, a sexologist and co-chair of the Association of Military Rehabilitators (MAVR), points out that changes in sexual behavior and psychological states of veterans after injuries happen quite frequently. However, this issue often goes unnoticed and is underestimated.

Sexual traumas among veterans require specialized assistance and support, but the healthcare and rehabilitation system, in most cases, does not give due attention to this problem. This poses significant challenges for veterans seeking to restore their intimate lives after their service on the frontlines.

Raising awareness about sexual traumas among military personnel and providing them with access to quality medical and psychological assistance is essential. This is the only way to ensure that sex after war does not become a source of additional suffering for veterans who have already endured numerous trials on the frontlines.