What is Sex Therapy?
According to the World Health Organization, a valuable component of the physical and mental happiness of all people is a healthy sexual life. The professional support given by psychologists or psychiatrists trained in this field to people whose sexual life is disrupted for a random reason and who are unhappy with it is called sexual therapy.
How is Sex Therapy Applied?
Sexual problems may occur due to organic, mental or both. The cause determines the course of treatment. Before going to a sexual therapist, a gynecologist or urologist should be visited to determine whether there is an organic problem.
Sex therapy is applied in the therapy room by psychologists or psychiatrists trained and experienced in this field. In order to achieve more success in the treatment, it is recommended that the person who applies with a sexual problem has a partner, to attend the therapy with his partner. In the therapy room, the sexual difficulties experienced by the clients, the feelings and sensations they create are described, the analysis attempts made for these problems and their past sexual experiences are discussed with all clarity. If the application is made as a couple, sexual history and sexual problem story are taken by interviewing both partners separately in the first interview. In the therapy room, no sexual contact or sexual intimacy of any kind takes place. The therapist provides educational information about sexuality by talking to the client or the couple and using materials such as photographs and images at the same time. Interviews are held in which intentions, behaviors and feelings about sexual life are examined. Afterwards, sexual therapy is applied by giving various homework assignments.
What are the Sexual Function Disorders Treated by Sex Therapy?
Vaginismus (Involuntary contraction of the vagina muscles)
Premature (Uncontrolled) Ejaculation
Late (Over-Control) Ejaculation
Hardening Problem
Loss of sexual desire
Orgasm and Arousal Problems
Dyspareunia (Painful Sexual Intercourse)
Satyriasis (Male Sexual Dissatisfaction)
Nymphomania (Female Sexual Dissatisfaction)
Sexual Problems Are Not Destiny
The handling of sexual problems is changing and developing day by day in direct proportion to the change in the perspective on sexuality. The main driving force of this change and development is the increasing differentiation and appreciation of the roles of both men and women in the social and sexual sphere, together with being more for women. In Western societies, women who felt guilty about their sexual desires in the past, are now questioning themselves about making better sex and having an orgasm. Despite this, although male sexuality finds a little more freedom in our country and in the societies further east, the oppressive attitude still continues on both male and female sexuality. Many people who grew up in these cultures have difficulties in putting their sexual issues into language. Sexual matters are not destined. It is mostly due to lack of sexual education. Common reasons for more than one person or couple who have sexual problems despite having a healthy body and mental structure in our country; Lack of sexual knowledge, insufficient sexual experience, false beliefs (myths) about sexuality, upbringing according to the culture, strict religious and moral beliefs and classical sexual roles.
Every individual has the right to have a healthy and satisfied sex life. If your quality of life and emotional well-being are affected by your “sexual dysfunction”, it may be necessary to see a sexual therapist without neglecting yourself.