[Diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in psychological disorders as a cause of impotence]

Sexual dysfunction in the male is very rarely caused and maintained by any single factor. Usually a combination of organic and psychogenic factors is involved: the symptoms may give some indication as to what factors are dominant. Frequent psychic causes are partnership or personality problems and the so-called vicious circle of performance anxiety. Sexual counselling is often all the therapy needed, especially when sexual knowledge is inadequate or even faulty or when relatively trivial partnership problems are involved. The kind of psychotherapy offered depends on the main problem: partner therapy, therapy directed at the control of personality problems, or therapy based on the Masters and Johnson method may be indicated.