Though the Iraq War has lasted more than five years now, and health issues concerning veterans are constantly in the news, there's always been one subject that seems to be overlooked -- sex. Last Wednesday in Washington, D.C. a conference was held to take a look at just how a veteran's war injuries -- both physical and psychological -- can affect his or her sex life. The Associated Press took a look at what was discussed at the conference, including an appearance by former senator Bob Dole, who was wounded in WWII.
Said Dole: "Most of us go through this transition from
able-bodied to disabled, and it's tough. And I worry about these young
men and women ... who are 17, 18, 19, because I don't think it's really
going to hit them until they're 20, 25, 30 years of age." For the
injured, questions of self-worth and a fear of rejection because of
physical or other changes they've undergone can form barriers in their
relationships.
Mitchel S. Tepper, assistant
project director at the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health at
Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, which organized the conference, told the AP one of the hardest things about this issue is the lack of discussion between doctors and patients.
Tepper
said badly injured patients are extremely interested in the subject,
even if they're shy about asking. He said studies of the general
population of people with spinal cord injuries find that some rank the
desire to have sex above the ability to walk again. Healthy
intimate relationships add meaning to life and can aid in recovery from
other injuries, he said. And the loss of a relationship can be
detrimental, even a factor in suicide.
Then there was this veteran who decided to tell his story as an example of what kinds of difficulties are involved:
Jackson, of Des Moines, Iowa, was injured in Iraq in 2003
while serving in the Iowa Army National Guard. In addition to losing
his legs, he had burns, post-traumatic stress disorder, and he was
heavily medicated. When his wife initially wanted to be intimate, he
refused.
His wife said she felt rejected, and went to talk to his
doctor with specific questions. She said the doctor just told her
things would get better with time, and she wasn't sure what that meant.
She said she and her husband kept talking and were able to work things
out.
In a separate interview with About.com late last year, Tepper gave an in-depth look at what the sexual intimacy problems are affecting vets, and what he plans to do about them. But he was clear to make this distinction:
Is important to note that sexual health encompasses more than the
absence of disease and more than reproductive function. Sexual health
includes how people feel about themselves as lovable and capable
partners; establishing and maintaining intimate relationships; freedom
from stigma, discrimination, sexual abuse, coercion and violence; and
the ability to enjoy sexual pleasure and satisfaction.
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