Treatment effectiveness for dysfunctions of sexual desire

Archival data from the Sex Therapy Center at Stony Brook were analyzed to determine the prevalence of desire phase sexual dysfunctions and the effectiveness of treating them with behavioral sex therapy. When cases were rediagnosed with a multi-axial problem-oriented system, increases from 1974-1981 in both the prevalence of desire phase problems and of male low sexual desire were observed. Data suggested that wives display more extreme patterns of sexual avoidance than do husbands in couples seeking sex therapy. Outcome statistics on marital adjustment, overall sexual satisfaction, the frequency of intercourse and masturbation, and patterns of initiation of sexual activity reveal significant positive changes after treatment. These changes are not due to nonspecific factors and are maintained at follow-up. Sex therapy was equally successful for male-centered vs. female-centered problems, for low sexual desire vs. aversion to sex, and for global or lifelong dysfunctions vs. the more recent or situational ones. Posttreatment gains reflect a minimally adequate sexual relationship, however, rather than an optimal degree of intimacy and pleasure.