The Neurobiological Impact of Sexual Trauma: Implications for Sexual Function and Mental Health Recovery

Abstract

Sexual trauma is a pervasive and complex phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. Sexual trauma can be defined as any unwanted or coerced sexual experience that causes psychological, physical, or social harm to the victim¹. Sexual trauma can have profound and lasting effects on the brain, body, and behavior of survivors, influencing their sexual function, mental health, and quality of life. In this article, The article reviews the current literature on the neurobiological impact of sexual trauma, focusing on how it affects the brain regions and circuits involved in stress response, emotion regulation, memory, and reward. It also discusses the implications of these findings for sexual function and mental health recovery, highlighting the potential role of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and neurostimulation interventions.