The Effectiveness of Psycho-Educational and Cognitive-Behavioral Counseling on Female Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction Sexual function is a multidimensional phenomenon that is affected by many biological and psychological factors. Cognitive-behavioral sex therapies are among the most common nonpharmacological approaches to psychosexual problems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral counseling on female sexual dysfunction. Methods The present study was a clinical trial with intervention and control groups. The study population consisted of women referring to the general clinic of a governmental hospital in Iran. After completing the demographic questionnaire and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), those who obtained the cutoff score ≤ 28 were contacted and invited to participate in the study. Convenience sampling method was used and 35 subjects were randomly allocated for each group. Eight counseling sessions were held for the intervention group (two/week/1.5 hour). Post-test was taken from both groups after 1 month, and the results were statistically analyzed by PASW Statistics for Windows, Version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results The total mean scores of FSFI and the subscales of sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group after the intervention. In addition, postintervention pain mean scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that psychoeducational cognitive-behavioral counseling is effective in improving female sexual function. It is recommended to compare the effects of psychoeducational cognitive-behavioral counseling on sexual dysfunctions of couples and with a larger sample size in future research.

Efficacy of Online Psychoeducation and Cognitive Behavior Therapy on Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: Single Case Design

“…Canadian Psychological Association reported that CBT is the most frequently used short-term psychological intervention for sexual dysfunction. 8 Recently Mirzaee et al 13 reported that psychoeducational cognitive behavioural counselling has been found effective in improving female sexual function. CBT had positive impact on sexual dysfunction among women.…”

“…12 Psychoeducational cognitive-behavioural counselling has been found effective in a clinical trial study among control and intervention groups in improving female sexual function. 13 Sexual functioning of married Iranian couples improved after group psychoeducational therapy. 14 A feasibility study of brief online psychoeducation intervention 15 reported notable pre-post improvements in sexual arousal, desire, and satisfaction among women with sexual interest/arousal disorder.…”

An online application of sensate focus to treat sexual desire discrepancy in couples: A pilot study

“…The application combined psychoeducation, sensate focus, and communication exercises. Previous research has suggested that these elements are useful separately for treating sexual difficulties (e.g., psychoeducation [Mirzaee et al, 2020;Tahan et al, 2020], sensate focus or mindfulness [Brotto, 2017a;Brotto & Basson, 2014;Trigwell et al, 2016],…”

An online sensate focus application to treat sexual desire discrepancy in intimate relationships: contrasting case studies

“…Previous research has found that all these three elements are separately important for treatment of sexual desire disorders and sexual dysfunctions (e.g. psychoeducation [Mirzaee et al, 2020;Tahan et al, 2020], sensate focus or mindfulness [Brotto, 2017a;Brotto & Basson, 2014;Trigwell et al, 2016], and communication [Ferreira et al, 2014]). However, these elements have not necessarily been combined in practice.…”