The debate on medicalization of sexology 2001–2010: a literature study on psychological treatment of sexual problems

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to describe the position of psychological treatment in an era where optimism surrounding pharmacological treatment has raised questions as to whether psychology should play a role in sexology at all. An investigation on the status of psychological treatment after the introduction of the PDE-5 inhibitors seemed due.

A systematic qualitative literature review on psychological treatment of sexual dysfunction during the period of 2001–2010 was completed in 2012.

A total of 261 articles were found, and organized according to their source, content, genre and year of publication. Thematic analysis was performed on selected groups of articles.

Twenty-eight articles focused on medicalization of sexology. Thematic analysis revealed discussions regarding the following themes:

This article will discuss these themes based on citations from the 28 articles. The main conclusions are that the medical model may be understood as a continuum, ranging from purely pharmacological treatment, to a medical profession that also integrates psychological and social issues. There is a widely held view that both medical and psychological methods are needed in order to achieve successful treatment.

• (I) The concept of medicalization

• (II) Different traditions

• (III) The medical profession and “the others”

• (IV) Quality of treatment

KEYWORDS:

• Medicalization
• professions
• integration
• treatment

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank librarian Ragnhild Elise Storlie, University of Agder, Norway, for her assistance with literature searches.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elsa Almås

Elsa Almås is a educated clinical psychologist from the University of Bergen in 1980. Has been working in private practice since 1988. Responsible for further education program in Sexological counselling at the University of Agder since 2001. Professor since 2012. President in Norwegian Society for Clinical Sexology 2013-2018. President of Nordic Association for Clinical Sexology 2017-2018. Member of EFS Executive Committee since 2010-2018. Member of WAS Executive Committee since 2017, Associate Secretary for Europe.