Psychotherapy for Sexual Dysfunctions

Abstract

Psychological factors play a significant role in the causation of sexual dysfunction. Predisposing factors provide the base, precipitating factors cause and maintaining factors sustain the sexual dysfunctions. Couple relationship and/or conflicts also add a layer of complex emotional complications to sexual dysfunctions. Psychological disturbances can be the cause or effect of sexual dysfunctions in the individual and/or in the couple. Psychoanalytical psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy, and systemic therapy are used to treat psychogenic sexual dysfunctions singly or in combination. Integration of these therapies with pharmacotherapy is the essence of biopsychosocial model of integrative sex therapy. Sex therapy is a structured psychotherapeutic schedule introduced by Masters and Johnson and later improvised by Helen Kaplan. Psychotherapy used for the management of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, female sexual interest/arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder, and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorders is discussed in this chapter. The addition of psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy in the management of organic sexual dysfunctions will give better results and also compliance to treatment.