Sexual Disorder: What You Need To Know?

In our last post, we had discussed about sexual health and some of the types of sexual disorders. Now, we will look at some of the probable causes of sexual dysfunction and its treatments.

Causes

Sexual response is a psychosomatic process meaning that both body and mind are responsible for a sexual response as well as a sexual dysfunction. A physically healthy person can have sexual problems due to several reasons like – depression, anxiety, concern regarding performance, relationship difficulties, sexual inhibition, substance abuse, body image disturbance and sexual trauma. It can be difficult to ascertain whether the sexual dysfunction is caused by physical or psychological factors. A few pointers my help:-

• If there is a history of sexual abuse or an evidence of psychological stressors like performance anxiety or fear of intercourse, the dysfunction is more likely to be of psychological causation.
• A psychological problem may not be consistent under different circumstances, whereas a physical problem will persist irrespective of the changed circumstances.
• Medical and gynaecological investigations can reveal if any health condition sufficiently justifies the sexual dysfunction.

Treatment

• Psychotherapy – By addressing and resolving the underlying emotional and psychological problems, most sexual dysfunctions of psychological origin can be treated easily. Through talk therapy, people are able to get a better understanding of their thought process and thus can deal with their thoughts and feelings in a healthy manner.
• Sex Therapy – It is a type of psychotherapy wherein you can address your concerns about sexual function, feelings and intimacy either in individual therapy or in joint therapy with your partner. Masters and Johnson techniques are the most effective and widely employed behavioural techniques in treating sexual dysfunction in both males and females. Specific techniques are taught for problems like Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation, etc. Healthy and honest communication of one’s sexual needs and desires to their partners is also taught.
• Sex education – Sometimes, a little support and correction of faulty attitudes towards sex is all that is required for treating sexual dysfunction. Providing correct and authentic information is the most important step in the treatment process as a lot of sexual problems arise due to incorrect information or myths related to sexual behaviours.
• Medications – Homoeopathic medicines have been found to be very effective in treating sexual dysfunction of both physical and psychological origins.

Identifying the causal factors, i.e. physical, psychological or a combination of the two is of prime importance for the treatment to be successful.