LAUSR

Past research has examined the health outcomes of early sexual trauma in reproductive age women, but little is known about potential long-term effects in older age. To examine associations between early life sexual trauma and later life sexual/genitourinary dysfunction and general functional disability in women. Cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative observational data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2010–2011) One thousand seven hundred forty-five US women aged ≥ 50 years Two forms of early life sexual trauma (childhood sexual abuse and unwanted first sexual experience), sexual/genitourinary dysfunction (pain during sex, lack of pleasure during sex, urinary incontinence, other urinary symptoms), and general functional disability (difficulty performing 7 activities of daily living (ADLs) or 8 instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)), assessed by interview and questionnaire. Of 1745 women, 11% reported a history of childhood sexual abuse and 39% an unwanted first sexual experience. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with later life sexual/genitourinary dysfunction (pain during sex [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.3], other urinary problems [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.1]), and difficulty with multiple ADLs/IADLs (walking across the room [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–3.1], getting in or out of bed [OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.3], bathing [OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.5], prepping meals [OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.5–3.8], shopping for food [OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.4], and completing light work [OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.4]), after adjusting for age, race, and education. Unwanted first sexual experience was associated with later life lack of pleasure with sex (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and difficulty with ADLs/IADLs (walking one block [OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1], completing light work [OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.1]) in adjusted analyses. Early sexual trauma may be an under-recognized marker of risk of aging-related functional decline in women. Findings underline the importance of providing trauma-informed care for women across the aging spectrum.