SensoCort - how traumatic childhood experiences affect the female brain and female sexuality

Study Description:

Both positive and negative experiences in childhood can affect our brains and can have long-term consequences for our behavior.

Our MRI study aims to investigate the effect of sexually traumatic experiences in childhood on the female brain and female sexuality. For these purposes, we are looking for study participants aged between 18 and 50 years old who have experienced sexual violence in childhood (before menarche).

After participating in the study, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a prevention course on "Health through Relationship" at the Institute for Sexual Medicine at Charité Berlin.

The participation includes two study appointments (max. 5 h total time). The first appointment includes interviews and questionnaires on health and traumatic experiences in childhood. The second appointment includes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and questionnaires on sexual behavior in adulthood. You will receive an expense allowance of 100 euros for participating in the study.

Requirements for study participation:

- No metal in the body (e.g. pacemaker, implants, copper coil).

- No tattoos larger than 10 x 10 cm in size

- No substance addiction, schizophrenia or claustrophobia

- No chronic health conditions

Contact:

Email: sensocort2@charite.de

Tel: 030 450 529219

Principle Investigator:

Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Christine Heim

Institute for Medical Psychology

Course of the study: 12/2025