Room 519-A | Sexual Dysfunction (ED) Monday, July 11, 2005 Time: 8:30 AM-10:30 AM |
The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Managment of Male Erectile Dysfunction Combining Sex Therapy with PDE-5 Inhibitors.
Niedziela, Dorota*,1, Kuzmarov, Irwin1, Skamene, Alex1, Eiley, David1, Bell, Jane1, Boudreau, Sylvia, White, Kathy1, 1 The West Island Sexual Dysfunction Clinic, Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada
ABSTRACT- We will present a multidisciplinary model for the management of male erectile dysfunction . In recent years, clinicians have come to understand that erectile dysfunction (ED) is a complex phenomenon and that the problem may be due not only to organic elements but also to psychological causes, both primary and secondary. In addition, male andropause, depression, hormonal abnormalities may all contribute to the general well-being and erectile functioning of the patient and his partner . The West Island Sexual Dysfunction Clinic has adopted a multidisciplinary approach to ED that involves a urologist, endocrinologist, sexologist and nurses. The therapeutic approach is individualised for each patient based on the assessments made by the team. The aim of this presentation is to outline the benefits of combining psychosexual strategies with PDE-5 inhibitors to increase the success rates for patients suffering from erectile dysfunction. ED is a synergism of psychological and physical factors. From this perspective, successful sexual experiences would depend on both the psychological and physiological contributions. The medical model targets the organic component of ED and employs treatments such as various mechanical techniques or drugs to improve a functional erection. In contrast, the psychosexual strategies typically focus upon the contextual as well as behaviour aspects of the sexual experience to initiate a progressive return to normal sexual functioning. The multidisciplinary approach is more likely to evaluate all aspects of the sexual problem in a given individual and his environment. By combining disciplines and therapeutic approaches to the given case, one is more likely to improve sexual desire, arousal, penile tumescence and sexual satisfaction, and return the patient to a normal organic and psychological state. In this presentation we will focus on several clinical cases to illustrate the therapeutic benefits of combining PDE-5 inhibitors, with psychological therapeutic techniques within the tight multidisciplinary organisation of our clinic. We will show how this approach leads to a more complete, more rapid and well rounded resolution to their sexual problem.
Key words: erectile dysfunction, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, Medical Model, Multidsiciplinary approach