The effect of inflammation on sexual desire and sexual function in pre- and post-menopausal women is moderated by sexual violence history

CRP was not associated with subjective sexual arousal or sexual functioning in a sample of healthy women; further work may identify if more sensitive inflammation biomarkers are needed, or if inflammation has greater effects on sexual function in specific conditions such metabolic syndrome. Of note, CRP did predict lower sexual desire in women with sexual violence histories, suggesting that survivors of sexual violence may be particularly sensitive to inflammation-mediation suppression of sexual motivation and/or reward.