Sexual Therapy
sexual therapyIt is a structured therapy process in which problems related to sexuality that have emotional, mental, relational and sometimes physical effects are addressed with professional support. Sexuality; It can be affected by many factors such as mood, self-confidence, communication with the partner, past experiences, body perception, stress level and relationship dynamics.
Sexual therapy not only aims to reduce a specific complaint; It aims to make a person's relationship with sexuality healthier, safer and more comfortable. It can be supportive in cases such as decreased sexual desire, painful intercourse, difficulty in orgasm, vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, performance anxiety or sexual compatibility problems between partners.
What is the Process of Sexual Therapy?
Sexual therapy is a talk-based therapy field. During the sessions, the person or couple explains the sexual problem they are experiencing in a safe environment. The therapist tries to understand how the problem started, how it continues, and through which thought-emotion-behavior cycles it is strengthened.
In genital aesthetic applications, the decision is not only based on appearance expectations; Functional complaints should be evaluated together with the impact on sexual life and the patient's realistic expectations [1][2].
In this process, false beliefs about sexuality, fears, feelings of shame, communication problems with the partner, past negative experiences and physical complaints are evaluated together. Sex therapy sessions involve no physical contact, hands-on sexual work, or any intimate experience with the therapist.
Period; It can progress through speaking, gaining awareness, communication exercises, noticing thought patterns, and structured homework when necessary. The aim is not to force the person, but to provide a safe and sustainable change.
Who Can Apply for Sexual Therapy?
It is not necessary to have a serious problem to apply for sexual therapy. Anyone who has recurring difficulties, anxiety, communication problems, pain, reluctance or adaptation problems in their sexual life can benefit from this support.
In preoperative counseling, normal anatomical diversity, healing process, scar, change in sensation, and the possibility of revision should be clearly discussed [1][2].
Sexual therapy may be considered in the following situations:
- Decreased sexual desire or reluctance,
- vaginismus,
- Painful sexual intercourse,
- Difficulty in orgasm,
- erectile dysfunction,
- Premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation,
- performance anxiety,
- Sexual compatibility problem between partners,
- Intense shame, guilt, or anxiety during sex
- Change in sexual life after birth or during menopause,
- The impact of past negative experiences on sexual life.
What Problems Does Sexual Therapy Help With?
Sex therapy focuses not only on the visible symptom, but also on the emotional and relational cycles that amplify and maintain that symptom. For example, experiencing painful intercourse once may cause intense fear in subsequent experiences. Similarly, occasional erectile dysfunction can increase performance pressure over time.
Choice of surgical or non-surgical application; It should be personalized according to examination findings, tissue structure, birth history and the person's complaint [1][3].
| Situation | The Effect It Can Have on a Person | Focus in Sexual Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| sexual reluctance | Avoiding intimacy, moving away from partner | Understanding the emotional, relational and physical factors that influence the desire dynamic |
| vaginismus | Fear, stiffness, postponement of intercourse | Reducing anxiety, strengthening the feeling of confidence, progressing gradually |
| painful intercourse | Tension, decreased desire, withdrawal from sexuality | Evaluating physical causes and unraveling the pain-anxiety cycle |
| erectile dysfunction | Performance pressure, loss of self-confidence | Reducing anxiety and addressing physical and psychological factors together |
| premature ejaculation | Feeling of loss of control, stress | Behavioral techniques, anxiety management and couple communication |
| Difficulty orgasming | Feeling of inadequacy, disappointment | Physical awareness, reducing mental pressure |
Why is Sexual Therapy for Women Important?
Sexual problems in women can often go unspoken for a long time. Vaginismus, painful intercourse, lack of sexual desire, difficulty in orgasm, vaginal dryness and changes in sexual life after birth can make it difficult for women to seek support.
Complaints related to sexual health are not only about anatomical appearance; Pain, dryness, infection, hormonal status and psychological factors should also be evaluated [3].
In cases such as vaginismus, the problem is not only contraction; Fear, pain expectation, avoidance behavior and communication with the partner may also affect the picture. Both physical and psychological reasons may play a role in painful intercourse. Therefore, sexual therapy in women should proceed together with gynecological evaluation when necessary.
Article Summary
Sexual Therapy should be addressed by evaluating the person's complaints, examination findings and needs together. In this article, the basic points about Sexual Therapy, the diagnosis-treatment process and things to consider are summarized.
What Will You Find in This Article?
- What is the Process of Sexual Therapy?:This section explains basic information on the subject, the evaluation process and points to consider.
- Who Can Apply for Sexual Therapy?:This section explains basic information on the subject, the evaluation process and points to consider.
- What Problems Does Sexual Therapy Help With?:This section explains basic information on the subject, the evaluation process and points to consider.
- Why is Sexual Therapy for Women Important?:This section explains basic information on the subject, the evaluation process and points to consider.
Why Might Men Require Sexual Therapy?
Sexual therapy in men is most frequently used for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, performance anxiety, sexual reluctance and compatibility problems with the partner. Men may sometimes perceive such problems as personal inadequacies. This perception can increase anxiety and cause the problem to become more permanent.
Sexual therapy can help reduce performance pressure in men, question the success-oriented understanding of sexuality, and create a safer sexual experience. However, in cases of erectile dysfunction, sudden reluctance or ejaculation problems, hormonal, vascular, neurological or drug-related causes should also be investigated.
Sex Therapy for Couples
Sexual problems often affect not only one person, but also the relationship. While one partner may feel rejected, the other may feel pressured. Over time, sexuality can become an area that cannot be talked about, creates tension, or is avoided.
In the sexual therapy process carried out as a couple, not only the sexual problem; Closeness, trust, communication style, expectations, disappointments and misunderstandings are also discussed. For many couples, the most important change is being able to talk to each other openly and without judgment for the first time.
Why is Medical Evaluation Important in Sexual Therapy?
Not every sexual problem occurs due to psychological reasons alone. Hormonal changes, diabetes, thyroid diseases, some medications, the postpartum period, menopause, vaginal dryness, infections, chronic pain, pelvic floor problems or urological problems can have an impact on sexual function.
What is Done in Sexual Therapy Sessions?
In sexual therapy sessions, a detailed history is first taken. It is discussed what the problem the person or the couple is experiencing, how long it has been going on, in what situations it increases, how it affects the relationship, and how the person makes sense of it.
The following topics can be studied in the sessions:
- Correcting misinformation about sexuality,
- Reducing anxiety and performance pressure,
- Strengthening communication between partners,
- Promoting a sense of closeness and trust,
- Addressing body image and self-confidence,
- Recognizing the pain-fear-avoidance cycle,
- Planning structured studies that can be implemented at home.
Misconceptions About Sexual Therapy
There are many misconceptions in society about sexual therapy. One of them is that this support is only suitable for people with very severe problems. However, people who experience recurring difficulties, anxiety, communication problems or adaptation problems in their sexual life can also apply for sexual therapy.
Another misconception is that sexual therapy is something to be ashamed of. Sexual health is an important part of overall health. Getting support means caring about one's quality of life and looking for solutions.
Sexual therapy is not a field of "giving advice" or offering a "one-session solution". Therapy is a process. While some people may receive significant relief in a few meetings, in some cases longer-term work may be required.
When to Seek Sexual Therapy?
It is not necessary to expect sexual problems to last for years. If a person or couple experiences recurring unhappiness, avoidance, pressure, pain, disharmony or anxiety in their sexual life, professional support may be considered.
Sexual therapy support may be considered in the following cases:
- Constantly postponing sexual intercourse,
- Avoiding sex due to pain,
- Inability to talk about sexuality
- Frequent conflict between partners,
- Marked sexual reluctance,
- Performance pressure,
- Difficulty in orgasm,
- Feeling inadequate,
- Distancing in relationship due to sexual problem.
Privacy and Trust in the Sexual Therapy Process
One of the most important needs in the sexual therapy process is trust. A person can only speak openly when he or she feels that he or she is not being judged, belittled, and that his or her privacy is protected. Therefore, sexual therapy should be based on safe boundaries and respectful language.
Problems in the field of sexuality are difficult topics to talk about for most people. Therefore, the purpose of therapy is not to shame or force the person; is to create a safe space where he can express himself more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Therapy
Sexual therapy helps to understand the causes of reluctance in sexual life, pain, anxiety, difficulty in orgasm, vaginismus, erectile dysfunction and adaptation problems and to develop solutions.
It can be done both ways. Depending on the nature of the problem, it can be started individually, continued in pairs, or both formats can be used together in the process.
No. Sex therapy is a talk-based process. There is no physical contact or any intimate practice with the therapist during the sessions.
Yes. Vaginismus is one of the frequently studied topics in sexual therapy. The cycle of fear, anxiety, avoidance and contraction can be addressed with a gradual and professional approach.
The duration varies depending on the person, the couple's needs and the nature of the problem. While some issues can be addressed in a short time, in some cases a longer process may be required.
No. Sexual health is an important part of overall health. Getting support means caring about one's quality of life and looking for solutions.