Sex After Trauma: A Guide to Rediscovering Pleasure

If you’ve walked through trauma, survived sexual assault, or simply felt disconnected from your body after something hard, know this—you’re not broken. Pleasure still belongs to you. This guide is your invitation to rediscover it on your own terms.

You don’t have to know everything about sex to enjoy it. Curiosity is beautiful. Read about female pleasure, watch documentaries that celebrate women’s sexuality, or take an online course that explores the science and emotion behind desire. Knowledge isn’t just power—it’s healing. It helps you remember that pleasure isn’t something that happens to you; it’s something you create.

Reclaiming pleasure starts long before the bedroom. It begins with how you care for yourself. Take long, indulgent baths. Stretch. Meditate. Read stories that make you feel seen. Dance around your living room in your favorite outfit. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s how you remind your body that it’s safe, loved, and worthy of pleasure again.

If you’re partnered, talk openly about where you are in your healing journey. Explain what consent looks like for you now. Be clear about your boundaries and your needs. Honest communication builds trust, which builds connection, which opens the door back to pleasure.

You don’t need a partner to feel alive again. Masturbation is a powerful act of self-discovery. It helps you reconnect with your body, explore new sensations, and learn what feels right. The goal isn’t performance—it’s presence. Touch yourself like someone you love.

Healing after trauma takes time, tenderness, and curiosity. There’s no right pace, no perfect formula—only your path. Start by choosing yourself again. Every small moment of self-love is a step toward reclaiming your pleasure.