Sexual Dysfunction
An estimated 43% of women and 31% of men experience sexual dysfunction at some point in life. To address the underlying psychological or emotional factors that contribute to sexual dysfunction, our therapists and psychiatrists at Healthy Minds NYC offer a variety of services at the office in the Midtown East neighborhood in Manhattan, New York. Our team provides you with resources to address past trauma or self-esteem issues, so you can learn to enjoy intimacy and sex again. To schedule a consultation to discuss sexual dysfunction, book an appointment online today.
Sexual Dysfunction Q&A
What causes sexual dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction describes issues that affect your ability to enjoy a satisfying sexual experience. This dysfunction can occur in any phase of the sexual response cycle, which includes arousal, plateau, orgasm, and resolution.
While there are a number of physical issues that can affect your sexual health, there are also several psychological and emotional issues that can cause sexual dysfunction, including:
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Relationship issues
Feelings of guilt
History of sexual abuse
You might also experience sexual dysfunction because of excessive worry about your sexual performance or your physical appearance and body image.
How is sexual dysfunction diagnosed?
If you’ve been to your doctor for diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your sexual dysfunction and find that it doesn’t relate to your physical health, you can schedule an assessment at Healthy Minds NYC to evaluate your emotional health.
Our psychiatric team offers on-site and virtual evaluations to discuss your feelings about sex and intimacy. We can also address your fears, history of sexual abuse, relationship difficulties, and abuse of drugs or alcohol.
After discussing the many factors of your past and current lifestyle, your provider designs a treatment plan that helps you build confidence in yourself and can address underlying mental health issues that affect your sexual function.
How is sexual dysfunction treated?
Often, addressing the underlying emotional and psychological issues involved helps improve your sexual function.
Our therapy team at Healthy Minds NYC uses several techniques, including:
Psychotherapy
Premarital counseling
Relationship therapy
Behavioral therapies
Working through your issues with your partner can strengthen your relationship and prevent conflicts that arise from sexual intimacy and performance issues.
In some cases, you might also need medications to enhance your sexual arousal and performance. Medications may also be a part of your treatment plan for depression and anxiety.
If the medications you’re taking to treat underlying mental health disorders are affecting your sex life, your provider can evaluate your treatment plan and recommend other therapies to manage your mental health.
You don’t have to be embarrassed to talk about sexual dysfunction. Get help today by requesting an appointment online today.
“Our need for togetherness exists alongside our need for separateness.”
— Esther Perel