[Sex function disorders after myocardial infarct. Diagnosis, counseling and therapy]

Sexual activities are possible and important even after myocardial infarction. Sexual complaints after a coronary heart disease are frequent, in most cases functional and primarily caused by psychological or psychosocial problems. There are good reasons to provide for psychological counselling and short-time therapy of sexual disturbances in the postcoronary rehabilitation programme. Beside clarifying the organic situation (physical load capacity, length of the interval after myocardial infarction, genitovascular insufficiency, medication etc.), the hormonal and functional situation, it is necessary to pay particular attention to a sufficient counselling and psychic management of the patient's sexual problems (fear of the dangers of overexertion, depression, fear of failure, the undigested change of familial and occupational status etc.). It is shown that these demands may be taken into account in multidimensional therapeutic work which has been performed in a special rehabilitation centre treating patients suffering from heart and circulatory diseases.