Sex is a conflictive and attractive topic in equal parts. Most people consider it an activity to enjoy, although there are those who do not want to talk about it, who do not find it pleasant, or who do not care.
Luckily, sex is becoming more and more normalized, both to talk about it and to practice it, breaking down taboos. In addition, more and more is known, thanks to the dissemination of quality information about it and attempts to combat the toxic ideas and practices that pornography creates.
However, it is not always easy to enjoy sex. As in all aspects of our lives, individually or as a couple, it is common for sexual problems to appear. Luckily, sex therapy can help us solve these problems. Keep reading this article and I will describe what it is sex therapy what it consists of and when to go to it.
Sexual therapy is one that aims to ensure that the sexual activity of the person who comes to it becomes satisfactory. To do this, a health professional treats sexual problems, whether as prevention, intervention or strengthening.
Specialists can be doctors, psychologists or sexologists, although sadly only in the private sphere. In addition, certain problems may require treatment by a specialist, such as sexologists, and not general doctors or psychologists, to achieve better intervention.
This variety of toilets is due to the fact that Sexual problems can be caused by both physical (such as illnesses, injuries, or physical characteristics) and psychological aspects (such as emotions or ideas that hinder arousal and pleasure), or both simultaneously.
As in psychological therapy, sexual therapy sessions usually last around an hour, during which the healthcare provider offers advice, resolves doubts and breaks taboos. To do this, it may be required in session:
In this way, sexual therapy will ensure that the person fully enjoys sex. People can attend therapy individually or as a couple, given that the sexual problem can appear either when masturbating or having sex with a partner, or only in one of the two cases. On the other hand, sessions can be held in person or online.
The duration of the treatment will depend on the patient, their involvement when putting the techniques and guidelines into practice, the severity of their sexual problem, the effectiveness of the professional in finding the key, and the relationship between the patient. and therapist, among other things. Therefore, its extension is variable, depending on the case.
How do I know if I need sex therapy?
The decision to go to sexual therapy can be covered by various doubts, among others knowing whether we should go or not, if we have a problem or not, if it is worth it… To begin with, I emphasize that you can go to sexual therapy for the reason whatever you want, whether to prevent possible problems, to solve an existing one or to enhance your sexual life.
The only criterion that I recommend that you should take into account when deciding to go to sexual therapy is to assess whether you are satisfied with your sexual activity. If the answer is no, that is enough reason to go to a consultation, regardless of the seriousness of the matter. Once you have had the first session, you will be able to say how many sessions you need and when to stop, just as the professional will assess it.
The sexual problems for which people come for consultation are usually the same, so suffering from any of these serves as an indication to request sexual therapy. Also, keep in mind that they are not the only ones:
In the case of women, the most common problems are anorgasmia, that is, difficulty having an orgasm; and vaginismus, a problem that makes it difficult to have penetration.
On the other hand, the most common problems in men are erectile dysfunction, which is difficulty having and maintaining erections; and premature ejaculation, that is, reaching an orgasm before desired.
These problems are more common than we think, they are difficult to control on our own, and yet, They usually generate shame or guilt, emotions that make it difficult for the person to go to sexual therapy. Although it may seem like something without much importance, because sex can be seen as something dispensable in our lives, I do not recommend avoiding sex therapy if you are not satisfied with that aspect.
Sexual problems carried over time can affect our self-esteem and our partner (if we have one), and cause general dissatisfaction. Take advantage of the fact that there is a possible solution, and ask a professional for help. In Cribecca Psychology We have psychologists specialized in Sexual Therapy and we will be happy to assist you.
