Having a problem with your sex life? Maybe you think fixing it is as easy as popping a pill or buying one of the other new medications on the market. But experts say solving some cases of sexual dysfunction means tackling underlying relationship issues, a time-consuming but ultimately worthwhile endeavor.
An article in The Providence Journal says more than 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men between 18 and 59 suffer from some sort of sexual problems. The causes of sexual dysfunction are varied. Some relate to physical changes, or relationship issues. These tend to be easiest to treat. More challenging problems can relate back to childhood trauma, such as rape or child abuse.
The first step, most experts say, is to get a physical exam to rule out medical problems such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism. If that isn't the problem, and childhood trauma has been ruled out, it might be time to take a look at the relationship. Issues of trust, intimacy and communication should be addressed, the experts say.
"Unfortunately, people want [to take] a pill and have it all work out. But you can't override a relationship issue with a pill for men, or women," says Dr. Genie Bailey, a psychiatrist at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, and an assistant clinical professor at Brown University School of Medicine.
Men and women have been trying to make sense of sex and relationships since the time of the ancient Greeks. For more information on the history of sexology, you can read this article from The Kinsey Institute. To find out more about sex therapists, visit The American Board of Sexology.
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