Room 517-D | Male Sexual Dysfunction: An Integrative Approach Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Time: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM |
A Biopsychosocial Integrative Couple Approach to Male Sexuality.
McCarthy, Barry*,1, 1 Washington Psychological Center, USA
ABSTRACT- In their teens and twenties males learn that sexual response is easy, highly predictable, and most important, autonomous. In other words, the man can experience desire, arousal, and orgasm without needing anything from his partner. When couples stop being sexual, whether at 45, 65 or 85 it is almost always the man′s decision, made unilaterally and non-verbally, because he can no longer function with complete control and predictability. Sex has become more of a frustration and embarrassment, so he avoids. The promise of the medication approach to male sexual dysfunction is that a pro-erection drug, testosterone to boast desire, or a medication to delay premature ejaculation will serve as a stand-alone intervention and return the man to perfect sexual performance. The biopsychosocial, integrative coupe approach introduces a new model of male and couple sexuality. The focus is on integrating intimacy, pleasuring, and eroticism and viewing his partner as his intimate sexual friend. Positive, realistic expectations establish a criterion of ′Good Enough Couple Sex′ with acceptance of a variable, flexible sexual style rather than perfect performance. If medication is used, it is integrated into the couple style of intimacy, pleasuring, and eroticism rather than a stand alone intervention. There are high rates of non-compliance and drop-out with both Pharmacological therapies and couple sex therapy so it is crucial to establish positive, realistic expectations of change as well as to develop an individualized relapse prevention program.
Key words: Biopsycholosocial Approach