Table 4.

Sexual functioning of war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and healthy control subjects

	Mean ± standard deviation
	PTSD (n = 101)	control (n = 55)	P
Frequency of sexual activity†	2.0 ± 1.0	2.4 ± 0.6	0.003
Type of activity:‡
sexual fantasies	2.5 ± 1.6	3.7 ± 1.7	<0.001
masturbation	2.2 ± 1.5	2.6 ± 1.5	0.170
foreplay	2.4 ± 1.6	3.5 ± 1.6	<0.001
oral sex	1.6 ± 1.2	2.6 ± 1.5	<0.001
sexual intercourse	2.4 ± 1.6	3.8 ± 1.5	<0.001
Desire for:‡
kissing	3.3 ± 2.0	4.5 ± 2.1	<0.001
masturbation	2.2 ± 1.5	2.9 ± 1.6	0.008
petting	3.0 ± 1.9	4.2 ± 1.8	<0.001
oral sex	2.5 ± 1.8	3.7 ± 1.7	<0.001
sexual intercourse	3.2 ± 1.7	4.5 ± 1.4	<0.001
Sexual functions:			<0.001
erection sufficient for intercourse§	4.1 ± 1.1	5.3 ± 0.9	<0.001
difficulties in reaching orgasm‡	3.0 ± 1.6	2.6 ± 0.9	0.128
premature ejaculation‡	3.1 ± 1.7	3.2 ± 1.0	0.674
painful intercourse§	3.0 ± 1.4	2.6 ± 0.8	0.037
Reasons for reduced sexual activity:║
own health	3.2 ± 1.2	1.5 ± 0.8	<0.001
health of partner	2.4 ± 1.0	1.9 ± 1.1	0.004
lack of privacy	2.1 ± 1.1	2.1 ± 1.2	0.920
quarreling in the relationship	2.3 ± 1.1	2.1 ± 1.2	0.462
overwork	2.1 ± 1.0	2.6 ± 1.1	0.007

*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.