Table 3.

Sexual functioning of war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who did not receive antidepressant therapy and those who received it

	PTSD patients (mean±SD)
	without antidepressants (n = 49)	with antidepressants (n = 52)	P*
Frequency of sexual activity†	2 ± 0.8	2.0 ± 1.1	0.920
Type of activity:‡
sexual fantasies	2.5 ± 1.5	2.6 ± 1.8	0.816
masturbation	2.5 ± 1.6	1.9 ± 1.3	0.039
foreplay	2.6 ± 1.8	2.2 ± 1.5	0.157
oral sex	1.9 ± 1.4	1.4 ± 1.1	0.055
sexual intercourse	2.7 ± 1.5	2.2 ± 1.6	0.095
Desire for:‡
kissing	3.9 ± 2.1	2.7 ± 1.9	0.004
masturbation	2.7 ± 1.7	1.7 ± 1.2	0.001
petting	3.5 ± 2.0	2.6 ± 1.7	0.011
oral sex	2.8 ± 2.0	2.2 ± 1.7	0.088
sexual intercourse	3.7 ± 1.8	2.8 ± 1.6	0.010
Sexual functions:
erection sufficient for intercourse§	4.2 ± 1.1	3.9 ± 1.1	0.220
difficulties in reaching orgasm‡	3 ± 1.5	3.1 ± 1.8	0.716
premature ejaculation‡	3.5 ± 1.8	2.7 ± 1.5	0.049
painful intercourse§	3.1 ± 1.3	2.9 ± 1.5	0.570
Reasons for reduced sexual activity:║
own health	2.8 ± 1.1	3.6 ± 1.2	0.002
health of partner	2.4 ± 0.9	2.4 ± 1.1	0.889
lack of privacy	2.1 ± 1.1	2.1 ± 1.1	0.897
quarreling in the relationship	2.4 ± 1.1	2.1 ± 1.1	0.155
overwork	2.2 ± 1.0	2 ± 1.0.	0.324

*Independent samples t test.

†Estimated on a 4 point scale: 1 – I was not sexually active, 2 – less often than I would like, 3 – just the right frequency, 4 – more often than I would like.

‡Estimated on a 7 point scale: 1 – not a single time, 2 – once a month, 3 – two-three times a month, 4 – once a week, 5 – two- three times a week, 6 – once a day, 7 – more times a day.

§Estimated on a 6 point scale: 1 – I was not sexually active, 2 – never or almost never, 3 – rarely, 4 – sometimes, 5 – often, 6 – always or almost always.

║Estimated on a 5 point scale: 1 – not a single time, 2 – rarely, 3 – sometimes, 4 – often, 5 – always.