New therapy for male sexual dysfunction

GREIFSWALDAND, Germany, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Modern, couple-oriented treatment for male sexual dysfunction In Germany takes the psychosocial aspects of sex into account, researchers said.

Urologist Dirk Rosing of the University of Greifswald and colleagues say sexual dysfunction can also arise as a consequence of a variety of diseases and their treatments, such as depression or diabetes, or can even be an early warning sign of serious physical illness such as heart disease.

Hence an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on both medical and psychological techniques and insights, is essential, Rosing says.

The study authors use research on prostate cancer to underline the place of one important new development in German sex therapy -- a form of "couples" therapy called "syndiastic" therapy.

Surveys of men with prostate cancer show that while the importance of the genital aspects of sexuality decreased in importance following surgery, the relationship and physical intimacy remained as important as before.

"Syndiastic" sex therapy was introduced in Germany in 2004 and focused for the first time explicitly on fundamental psychosocial needs, in a wider way, rather than purely on sexual function itself. Derived from a word Aristotle uses, meaning a disposition to "live in pairs" or "belonging," the approach differs importantly from some other somatic or psychological treatments which focus mainly on restoring sexual function.

The findings are published in the Deutsches Arzteblatt International.