Sexual dysfunction therapy
Sexual dysfunction therapy is designed to help those who exhibit physical or medical conditions leading to a declining sex life. The treatment methods for sexual dysfunction will primarily depend on the direct cause of the problem. For instance if the cause of the dysfunction is psychological, treatment methods will include counseling. If the cause is physical then the treatment is geared toward finding the condition that is leading to sexual dysfunction.
For physical causes, medical treatments often include lubricating gels, creams or suppositories that are designed to make sex more comfortable. Topical estrogens are also prescribed for women in menopause that may be experiencing dryness, insensitivity or vaginal thinning that can lead to discomfort during intercourse. Also for menopausal women, hormone therapy including estrogen and/or progestin often helps to provide more sensitivity and ease the discomfort that is caused by vaginal dryness as well as to improve the circulation and flow of blood to the pelvic area.
Sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra is also prescribed very often as a sexual dysfunction treatment. This medication is designed for men although clinical trials are being conducted to determine its effectiveness in women as well. The medication is designed to increase the blood circulation to the genital area and help with arousal. Preliminary tests have shown that the drug may also have positive reactions in women with normal testosterone levels.
Other treatments include better control of certain chronic diseases. Changing prescription medication in order to reduce adverse side effects often helps to control sexual dysfunction in those with chronic conditions. Treating vaginal infections may also help to eliminate these problems and on very rare occasions, surgery is performed in order to remove tumors, cysts or other growths that cause pain during intercourse.
Psychological treatments typically involve more than one session and work to identify behaviors and emotions that may interfere with arousal. Learning new emotional and physical behaviors and changing behaviors often helps to eliminate the sexual problems and encourage a more positive sexual response. Sex therapy is also a psychological treatment and involves talking with a counselor and often with your partner to discuss problems associated with the sexual dysfunction.
The therapist will speak with both you and your partner about the problems and introduce ways to solve these problems. You may receive exercises and different methods that you can practice at home. You may also be asked to report your experiences at your next session to determine which methods and treatments are working and which ones are not. Counseling typically requires one hour each week and may last anywhere from one to six months or more depending on your specific problems and your diagnosis.
Changes in your environment, massage and using sexual toys may also help to alleviate sexual dysfunction as well as learning new ways to communicate with your partner. Many therapists may also recommend group therapy sessions and/or sexual dysfunction support groups. Focus exercises are typically recommended and help both partners to relate to each other in a more physical way without the pressure to perform sexually. The exercises typically begin with a light touch and gradually increase and proceed to intercourse.
Again, the type of treatment that a specific person will need for sexual dysfunction will directly depend on the reason for the dysfunction. If the problem is a physical one, a medical doctor will need to be consulted. If the problem is more psychological, a therapist will need to be contacted and the length of time that it takes to address the issue and solve the dysfunction will depend on the treatment used and the severity of the problem.
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