Psychological and interpersonal dimensions of sexual function and dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction: Sex therapy techniques comprise behavioural and cognitive as well as psychodynamic and educational interventions, like reading ('bibliotherapy'), videotapes and illustrations of anatomical models. Contemporary approaches focus on desire, pleasure and satisfaction.

Discussion: It is important to assess medical and biological factors involved in the genesis of sexual dysfunctions. Sex therapy techniques were developed by Masters and Johnson, and their premise was to eliminate 'performance anxiety' by emphasising the undemanding nature of the sexual relation. New methods were introduced, like Internet-administered techniques, and 'mindfulness therapy', and they proved to be effective.

Conclusions: Psychological treatments have some relieving effects on sexual dysfunction, but for studies of the outcomes it is difficult to meet the requirements of evidence-based medicine.

Keywords: (I)CBT, (Internet-delivered) cognitive behavioural therapy; Cognitive-behavioural; ED, erectile dysfunction; HSDD, hypoactive sexual-desire disorder; Mindfulness; PE, premature ejaculation; Plissit model; Satisfaction; Sex therapy.