Reduction of sexual dysfunction: by-product of cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychological disorders?

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess changes in sexual dysfunctions among patients undergoing cognitive-behavioural therapy for a psychological disorder. Examinations were made of 451 unselected outpatients (68.1% female, mean age = 36.0 years) of a university outpatient clinic. Using the German version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire before and after treatment, they rated their sexual interest, ability to become sexually aroused and to achieve erection or lubrication and orgasm, and their general sexual satisfaction. Almost two-thirds of the patients (63.2%) reported having a sexual dysfunction prior to therapy. Sexual dysfunctions improved in a significant number of patients but only after successful treatment for the psychological disorder. Even after the primary disorder had fully remitted, a sexual dysfunction was still present in about 45% of the patients who were originally affected. Results for patients suffering primarily from depression were similar to those who suffered from other psychological disorders. Although many of the co-morbid sexual dysfunctions of patients receiving CBT clearly improve or entirely remit, a relevant portion of patients continues to report sexual dysfunctions. Recognition of sexual dysfunctions and their integration into case formulations should therefore be improved.

Keywords:

• sexual dysfunction
• prevalence
• co-morbidity
• cognitive-behavioural therapy

Acknowledgements

We want to thank W. Miles Cox (Bangor, UK) for his comments on this paper.