Sexual disorders can affect in individual, cropping up in any relationship. Yet when you’re dealing with a traumatic injury, you’re practically guaranteed some type of sex-related problem. According to a study presented at the 2008 Clinical Congress of the American College Surgeons, almost one-third of patients who have sustained moderate to severe trauma report some type of sexual disorder.

This prevalence rate is approximately double that in studies on patients who have not been impacted by trauma. The rate is triple that of healthier patients amongst those under age 50. The study, which included patients treated at 69 hospitals across the United States, also reported that most trauma patients described their dysfunction as severe one year after the debilitating event. The prevalence of having a sexual disorder was similar for both males and females, with 21% of men and 23% of women reporting severe or complete sexual dysfunction.

Adding insult to injury, literally, was the finding that any general occurrence of a traumatic event can result in a sexual disorder. While previous studies have linked the traumatic injury’s impact on a specific body part involved in sexual function, e.g., pelvis, and increased risk of sexual dysfunction, any trauma poses a threat.

The researchers at the University of Washington concluded that moderate to severe traumatic injury poses a much more serious risk of sexual dysfunction than other known risk factors for such, like aging and health conditions such as diabetes.

So how does a trauma patient move forward? Your sexual functioning is a major quality of life factor, impacting you, your relationship, and your well being. So get proactive in protecting it!

Be sure to talk to your doctor about any distress you’re experiencing around your sexual functioning and sexual self-image. Given difficulties they have talking about sex, most healthcare practitioners do not make sexual issues a part of their protocol in treating patients. This is especially true of female patients.

Researchers are currently hoping to identify major contributors to sexual disorders amongst trauma patients, e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder, in hopes of intervening with treatment sooner. But in the meantime, you need to protect your sexual functioning and relationship in doing the following...

•    Don’t be afraid to go back to your physician a year after the major traumatic event if the physical, emotional, and/or mental toll of the experience is limiting your sexual expression on any level.

•    Take care of your emotional fitness, actively addressing any depression you’re experiencing. This is especially important since the pain and/or long-term limitations that can come with the trauma can have psychological effects that negatively impact your sexuality.

•    Ask about medications that may assist your sexual functioning, plus inquire about any medications you’re on that could be lending themselves to the disorder.

•    Request a referral if your physician is unable or unwilling to talk about your sex life. If your provider isn’t able to do such, visit www.AASECT.org to locate a sex therapist in your area.

•    Educate yourself with trusted resources on causes and remedies.

•    Join a support group with others who are coping.

When it comes to your sexual relationship, recognize that both of you are dealing with the emotional stress of the situation, if even in different ways. Therefore, everything should be approached as a team effort. In achieving this:

•    Invite your partner with you to doctor appointment in focusing on medicine and sexual health.

•    Talk matter-of-fact about the situation – your sexual concerns, needs, hopes, and worries. Communication is vital in maintaining the connection needed to overcome any sexual ailment.

•    Experiment with various types of sexual expression, taking care not to put any spotlight on lovemaking that requires penetration or a movement that may not be feasible.

•    Fool around with new sex roles given your circumstances.

•    Spend quality time together in non-sexual ways in showing the love, tenderness, respect, and appreciation you have towards one another.