Female sexual function six months after sexual assault: post-traumatic stress disorder strongest risk factor for impaired function.

In this study, we investigate the effect of sexual assault on sexual function in adult women. Participants consisted of 136 women recruited from the Emergency Clinic for Rape Victims in Stockholm. Seventy-three women returned for follow-up six months after the assault and completed the Female Sexual Function Index, assessing their current sexual function compared to that before the assault. A majority (44/73) reported impaired function, which was associated with a simultaneous diagnosis of PTSD (OR 5.7; 95% CI 1.7-19.1, p = .005) or moderate-severe depressive symptoms (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.6-13.7, p = .006). 27% of women reported improved function.