Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction occurs when the sexual response cycle becomes negatively impacted, interfering with healthy sexual intimacy. The sexual response cycle includes sexual desire and arousal, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
Sexual Dysfunction Issues
Arousal difficulty
Delayed orgasm
Erectile dysfunction
Inability to achieve orgasm
Inability to maintain an erection
Low sex drive
Mismatched sexual desire
Lack of sexual desire
Menopause
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Premature ejaculation
Cancer, Diabetes, Chronic Pain
Coronary Heart Disease,
Physical or psychological disability
Psychiatric Medication
Sex therapy provides clients with information regarding sexual dysfunction and how their diagnosis and conditions influence their sexual concerns. The sex therapist and client collaborate with the client in establishing an individualized treatment plan and goals. Anxiety and performance issues in men can lead to erectile issues and premature ejaculation due to being distracted from connecting to their bodies and staying in their minds about failing to perform. Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation can help clients become aware and tune into their physical bodies and pleasurable sensations.
How Can Therapy Help?
Psychotherapy and sensate focus exercises provide intimate touch without the pressure to perform in sexual intercourse. Anxiety and erroneous intrusive thoughts around painful intercourse cause tension in muscles, causing awkward, guilty, and uncomfortable feelings. Individual and couple therapy can help in examining negative core beliefs about oneself and their partner.
Psychotherapy helps clients address anxiety, worry, guilt, past sexual trauma, and body image issues. Begin your journey to healing to overcome blocks to having healthy sexuality. Let us collaborate and establish meaningful and satisfying sexual intimacy between you and your partner.
References
American Family Physician(2020).Female Sexual Dysfunction: Evaluation and Treatment.
Planned Parenthood (2020). Sex, Pleasure and Sexual Dysfunction.
Merck Manual (2020). Overview of Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Overview of Sexual Dysfunction in Women.