The most difficult sexual dysfunctions in terms of their treatment include sexual aversion and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to experienced violence or circumcision. Both disorders are unrelated to bodily pathologies that have an impact on the quality of sexual life (Metz et al., 2017). This aspect causes difficulties in prescribing therapy, since the latter requires a thorough study of the psychological nature of the problems.
In the treatment of sexual aversion disorder, a doctor needs to investigate a complex of many psychological and mental factors. Previous disorders, the manifestation of accentualization of personality, violation of gender-role behavior, primitive culiura are among them. All these aspects require a long and thorough psychological diagnosis, which may be complicated by a patient’s unwillingness to verbalize the traumatic experience (Metz et al., 2017). Besides, PTSD treatment may be associated with difficulties in collecting anamnesis. It is also complicated by the need to work with the patient’s close people, who may not be ready to provide proper psychological support for the patient.
Among all the possible ways of treating sexual dysfunctions recognized in medicine, I cannot name those that would go against my cultural, religious and ethical beliefs. A competent doctor is free to choose any necessary medical and psychological methods of treatment. These methods should be prescribed individually and in a timely manner. If they are, the usage of such methods is justified since they contribute to patients’ recovery.
As the ovaries age, the female ability to produce eggs suitable for fertilization and release sex hormones decreases, which weakens sexual reactions. An age-related decrease in estrogen levels, especially during menopause, reduces sexual desire (Ghizzani, 2020). The decrease in male libido and erectile function becomes more noticeable after the age of sixty, which, in part, can be explained by an age-related decrease in testosterone levels. All these changes underlie age-related changes in sexual behavior.
The PLISSIT model includes four levels of therapy: permission, information limit, special advice and intensive therapy. Each of them is aimed at a deeper level than the previous one. At the first level, the therapist assures the client that thoughts, feelings, fantasies, desires, and behaviors that enhance satisfaction are normal (Hudson-Allez, 2019). At the second level, the therapist provides the patient with information about the problems that bother him. The third stage is reduced to exercises. In intensive care, or psychosexual therapy, the therapist uses interpretation and reflection to help clients become aware of unconscious feelings.
References
Ghizzani, A. (2020). Healthy aging: Well-being and sexuality at menopause and beyond. WSB Publishing.
Hudson-Allez, G. (2019). Sexual diversity and sexual offending: Research, assessment, and clinical treatment in psychosexual therapy (1st ed.). Routledge.
Metz, M. E., Epstein, N., & Mccarthy, B. (2017). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for sexual dysfunction (1st ed.). Routledge.