Why it is essential to go to therapy for sexual dysfunctions

A summary of the aspects of sexual dysfunctions that can and should be treated in therapy.

The area of sexuality is basic to psychological well-being and directly influences our ability to be happy.

But precisely because of this, it is also capable of giving rise to very significant problems in terms of our quality of life. In fact, even people who are asexual and who experience no desire to have sex or to have a partner can develop forms of discomfort in this facet of their lives: insecurities, doubts leading to feelings of guilt, and so on.

Fortunately, therapeutic strategies have now been developed that are able to help people overcome these types of disturbances. In this article we will focus on the psychological aspects behind sexual dysfunctions and we will see why it is important to go to therapy to solve the latter, sexual dysfunctions..

The importance of going to therapy in the face of sexual dysfunctions.

The sexual dysfunctions are recurrent phenomena that appear in the course of the sexual relations and that prevent the enjoyment of these or directly generate discomfort and/or pain.. Moreover, they can have physical or psychological causes, or both, and it is very common for the sufferer to believe that the problem is of an organic nature, but in reality it is fundamentally mental/emotional.

On the other hand, there are sexual dysfunctions that affect both sexes, and others that only affect women or men, as they are linked to their genitalia. In any case, many of them share several aspects.

There are two ways in which health professionals treat sexual dysfunctions.. On the one hand, there are medical interventions, which aim to resolve organic problems, and on the other hand, there are forms of intervention based on behavioral and psychological processes. Here we will focus on the latter type of intervention.

Common sexual dysfunctions in consultation

These are some of the sexual dysfunctions that are most commonly treated in a psychological, sexual and couple therapy center such as ours, UPAD Psychology and Coaching.

• Erectile dysfunction
• Anorgasmia
• Vaginismus
• Premature ejaculation
• Hypoactive sexual desire
• Post-coital depression

On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that there are other psychological other psychological alterations related in a more indirect way to sexuality but which are also capable of affecting it a lot (towards worse). As we will see, both the latter and sexual dysfunctions can be treated: in the case of sexual dysfunctions, through sex therapy, and in the other cases, in individual psychotherapy or couple therapy. Psychologists can be trained in these three areas, and in fact, many of us are.

The different aspects of affective-sexual life addressed in therapy

These are the main levels at which problems or unmet needs may appear both in the area of sexuality and in that of affective life and social interactions in the context of the intimate.

All of these elements can participate in the appearance of sexual dysfunctions (through psychological dynamics and learning that we internalize and do not realize), and fortunately, they can be addressed and overcome through sex therapy, psychotherapy and couple therapy.

1. Lack of information about sexuality

This first point has to do with a basic aspect, especially during youth: the need for sex education. All people should be able to count on information about sex, its positive aspects and its risks, in line with scientifically obtained knowledge and far from the myths and prejudices that often circulate throughout society.

In addition, this information must reach both people who initially have doubts and gaps in knowledge, as well as children and adolescents. This will reduce the likelihood of unfounded fears and other forms of dysfunctional anxiety that can lead to problems in people's sexual lives.

2. Doubts, insecurities and discomfort about one's sexual identity.

The way in which our own perception of our sexual life, on the one hand, interacts with the development of our self-concept (the conception of the "I"), on the other, can lead to very harmful forms of distress. (the conception of "I"), on the other, can give rise to very harmful forms of discomfort.

This occurs in part due to historical stigmatizations directed against ways of living sex that depart from the normative, and today is clearly embodied, for example, in discrimination against non-heterosexuals, which persists to a lesser or greater extent even in societies considered progressive.

3. Inability to fully enjoy sex

In this group of problems we find the symptoms of sexual dysfunctions and psychological disorders that interfere with sexuality. from experiences linked to Pain or lack of enjoyment in the act, such as anorgasmia, vaginismus or erectile dysfunction, to paraphilias that are capable of putting people in situations of danger and/or social exclusion.

4. Problems in love relationships

In many respects, the affective aspect (in terms of couple relationships) cannot be separated from the sexual aspect.. Therefore, it is common for problems in the couple's life to manifest themselves in both areas at the same time. Taboo topics that arise in the relational dynamics, asymmetries in the expectations of each one, insecurities with one's own body in front of the other, fear of showing oneself vulnerable or imperfect?

Are you interested in therapy?

If you are thinking of going to therapy to improve some aspect of your affective-sexual life, either through sex therapy or individual psychotherapy or couples therapy, please contact our team of professionals.

At UPAD Psychology and Coaching we offer services that cover all aspects of well-being that have to do with emotions, sexuality, mental faculties and patterns of behavior and interaction with others, and we attend both in our center located in Madrid (in the neighborhood of Argüelles) and through online therapy sessions.

On this page you will find more information about us.

Bibliographical references:

• Balon R, Segraves RT, eds. (2005). Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction. Milton Park: Taylor & Francis.
• Bianco, F. & Montiel, C. (1988): Sexología. Aproximación a su Concepto. Presented at the Taller Teórico Metodológico. Caracas: Centro de Investigaciones Psiquiátricas, Psicológicas y Sexológicas de Venezuela.
• Bullough, V. L. (1989). The society for the scientific study of sex: A brief history. Mt. Vernon, Iowa: The Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.
• Carreño, M. (1991). Psychosocial aspects of love relationships. Santiago de Compostela: University of Santiago de Compostela.
• Hedon, F. (2003). Anxiety and erectile dysfunction: a global approach to ED enhances outcomes and quality of life. International Journal of Impotence Research, 15: pp. 16 - 19.
• Toquero de la Torre, F., Zarco Rodríguez, J., Cabello-Santamaría, F., Alcoba Valls, S., García-Giralda Ruiz, L. and San Martín Blanco, C. (2004). Guide of good clinical practice in sexual dysfunctions. Madrid: Organización Médica Colegial.