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Sex Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction
Sex therapy is a short-term form of counseling, generally involving 5 to 20 sessions with a sex therapist. A typical session may be one hour every week or every other week.
During the session, the counselor will give the patient "assignments" to do at home, such as:
- Reading books about sexuality.
- Touching exercises that are designed to take away the pressure to perform during sex.
- Practicing better sexual communication skills.
Sex therapy may be useful for treating erectile dysfunction if a man is able to have a normal erection during sleep, the results of his physical examination and blood tests are normal and he is generally in good health. Sex therapy may also be helpful when erectile dysfunction is caused by stress, such as: work worries, financial worries, relationship conflicts, and poor sexual communication. In these cases, sex therapy may be the best treatment option.
Does Sex Therapy Work?
Sex therapy is most effective when a man's sexual partner is willing to be part of the treatment. Studies have shown that for men with stress-related ED, having the partner involved in the therapy resolves the problem 50%-70% of the time. When the man must go through counseling alone, the results are somewhat lower.
Sex therapy is unlikely to work if a man drops out of treatment after only one or two sessions.
Sometimes several sessions of sexual counseling can be helpful to a man who is going to receive medical or surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. A counselor can help guide a couple in agreeing on a treatment or help them improve their sexual communication and lovemaking skills. A single man may benefit from counseling on how to talk to his partner about penile injections or a vacuum constriction device, both treatments for ED.
Does Health Insurance Cover Sex Therapy?
Some insurance plans cover sex therapy. Once you select a therapist, call her/him to ask about whether or not his or her services are covered by your insurance provider. If payment cannot be worked out through insurance, many therapists can adjust their fees. Sex therapy clinics tend to be less expensive than private therapists. The cost of sex therapy programs varies, but generally range between $600 and $2,300 dollars, depending on the nature of the problem and the response to treatment.
How Do I Find a Sex Therapist?
Call your local hospital or university medical center to see if they have a sex therapy clinic. Also, ask your doctor if he or she can recommend a therapist.
Reviewed by the doctors at the Glickman Urological Institute at The Cleveland Clinic.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Erectile Dysfunction Guide
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
