Editorial Comment on: Changes in Autonomic Nervous System Activity are Associated with Changes in Sexual Function in Women with a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse.

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a heterogeneous experience with no standard operational definition. Despite the heterogeneity of CSA and variability in how it is assessed, an extensive literature demonstrates differences between women who are exposed to CSA versus those who are not. Women who experience CSA are more likely to develop a broad range of mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and anxiety—particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [1]. Physical health issues such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, obesity, and diabetes, with accompanying higher use of health care services, are also common in adult women with a history of CSA [2]. Differences in sexual behavior following CSA are similarly well documented and include earlier sexual debut, larger numbers of partners, higher rates of behaviors associated with elevated risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, higher rates of sexual functioning problems, and evidence of inhibited genital responding to sexual stimuli [3].