We solve soliton perturbation problem in nonlinear optical system by introducing Rayleigh's dissipation function in the framework of variational approach. The adopted process facilitates variational approach to be applied on dissipative system where the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian are difficult to form. Exploiting the idea, loss and filtering problems are evaluated with convincing results. Considering other perturbing terms like two soliton interactions, intrapulse Raman scattering, self-steepening, and two-photon absorption in extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation, Rayleigh's dissipation function is configured intuitively so that the generalized Euler–Lagrange equation converges to the related governing equation of the pulse propagation. The process evolves a set of differential equations exploiting the dynamics of different pulse parameters under the influence of perturbations. The obtained analytical results are verified with generalized Kantorovich approach and compared with previous reported results. Numerical simulations based on the split-step beam propagation method are employed to calculate the pulse evolution parameters and the derived results are found to be corroborated well with the analytical predictions.