Sexual Dysfunction
RECONNECT. REVITALIZE. REJUVENATE.Sexual Dysfunction
Often times we struggle with problems and difficulties in life, not realizing that there are other people facing similar concerns. Healthy sexual functioning is a complex interplay between the mind and body.
Sexual dysfunction is a significant disturbance in a person’s ability to respond sexually or to experience sexual pleasure. It is categorized according to the phase of the sexual response cycle that is affected.
Sexual dysfunction can affect people of any age, prevalence rates show 31% of men and 43% of women being affected.
Common Sexual dysfunction in men include:
Erectile dysfunction (ED): an inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual engagement. 40% of men in their 40s experience ED and will increase in prevalence and severity as a man ages.
ED is associated with a number of risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and hormones. It could indicate future development of vascular events in some populations.
Physiological factors such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and certain medications; psychological factors including anxiety, depression, stress, low- self-esteem, and unresolved trauma; and lifestyle factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and alcohol consumption are some of the root causes for ED.
Erectile dysfunction stems from many causes and may require a multipronged approach for treatment, including medical, pharmaceutical, and psychological. Regardless of its etiology, the psychological and emotional impact are very profound and may leave you feeling shame and guilt, sexual inadequate, and alone.
Therapeutic support by a trained Sex Therapist can help you address the psychological impact as well as explore ways to bridge intimacy and connection with your partner.
Inhibited Sexual Desire (low libido): Inhibited desire, or loss of libido, refers to a decrease in desire for or interest in sexual activity. Reduced libido can result from physical or psychological factors. It has been associated with low levels of the hormone testosterone. It also may be caused by psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression; medical illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure; certain medications, including some anti-depressants; and relationship difficulties.
Therapy with a trained Sex Therapist can help you address psychological and emotional issues such as feelings of fear, guilt, depression, or anxiety. As well as explore ways to improve intimate connection with your partner.
Delayed Ejaculation: a medical condition in which a male cannot ejaculate easily or at all. This may be caused by psychological including relationship problems, unresolved trauma, stress, or depression; physical factors such as neurological impairment, diabetes, and increasing age; and some medications for depression and high blood pressure.
Treatment for delayed ejaculation includes counselling with a trained Sex Therapist who uses a combination of psychotherapy, psychosexual education, and structured lifestyle changes can help to increase intimate connection and sexual satisfaction.
Premature Ejaculation (PE): occurs when a man reaches an orgasm earlier than he or his partner would like. PE is the most common and least understood sexual dysfunction reported by men and affects 20% to 30% of men at some point in their life.
This sexual concern results in feelings of embarrassment, fear, and sexual anxiety. Over time, this leads to sexual and emotional avoidance and ‘spectatoring’ during intercourse which significantly impacts the quality of life for the individual; and reduces the relationship quality between partners.
Working collaboratively with a sex therapist who understands your concern is a step in the right direction. Learning about the root cause and finding solutions to help you psychologically, increasing psychosexual education, and offering tools and strategies to strengthen relationship bonds with your partner are some areas you can explore together.
Some common sexual dysfunctions in women include:
Female orgasmic disorder (FOD) – difficulty experiencing an orgasm and/or marked reduced intensity of an orgasm or have never experienced an orgasm following sexual arousal and adequate sexual stimulation.
Sexual and emotional abuse, depression, relationship issues, low self-esteem, stress, and cultural beliefs and some main causes of female sexual dysfunction. In addition, medication conditions that affect the nervous system, arthritis, and asthma are also linked with this disorder. Side effects of medications such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and anti-hypertensives, and other medications can make reaching an orgasm difficult.
Treatment of female orgasmic disorder primarily involves psychosexual education and psychotherapy. A certified Sex Therapist can support you toward a more satisfying sex life by teaching you to better understand your body and what gives you pleasure. Couples counseling can support couples with improving sexual communication and address conflicts that may interfere with building trust and cultivating a meaningful relationship.
Female sexual interest/arousal disorder – lack of sexual interest/arousal manifested in absent or reduced interest in erotic fantasies, thoughts, and sexual activity. Women also exhibit reduced or no initiation of sexual activity and are typically unreceptive to their partner’s bids to initiate.
Working collaboratively with a sex therapist who understands your concern is a step in the right direction. Learning about the root cause and finding solutions to help you psychologically, increasing psychosexual education, and offering tools and strategies to strengthen relationship bonds with your partner are some areas you can explore together.
Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (Painful sex) – women experience pain or discomfort with vaginal penetration during intercourse; vulvovaginal or pelvic pain during intercourse or penetration attempts; or tensing/tightening of pelvic floor muscles. There is significant fear and anxiety associated with painful sex and may often be an isolating experience that results in reduced sexual desire and disrupts relationships.
Relevant factors that cause Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder include cultural and religious attitudes towards sexuality, medical concerns such as infections in the pelvic region, history of abuse and poor body image, and poor relationship quality.
A Sex Therapist will take a multifaceted approach to addressing sexual pain when working with an individual or couple. Through referrals, psychotherapy, and psychosexual education with an intention towards restoring a healthy sex life. Clients will work collaboratively with a sex therapist to develop a plan of care that includes psychosexual education, exploring feelings of fear, sexual shame, anxiety, and distress, and discussing the impact of sexual pain on relationships.
What to Expect In Sex Therapy Sessions
When I introduce myself as a sex and relationship therapist, most people immediately think that I teach people how to have sex! This is not quite the case. As a trained therapist, I take a deep dive with clients to explore and understand the root cause for the issues that present with. My exploration with clients assumes a position of compassion, curiosity, and openness. Whereas discussions about people’s attitudes, beliefs, and practices around sex are not invited and openly discussed, I am cognizant that clients may be sharing concerns about their sexual experiences for the first time. Therapy provides education about our sexual scripts, and unexpressed expectations of ourselves and partners; as well as challenging societal narratives and influences about our sexuality.
Sex therapy engages clients in a reflective processing that offers them sexual menu of options for connection and intimacy. Through sexual communication clients will become more attuned with themselves and each other, emotionally present and playful.