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Behavioural Treatment of Orgasmic Dysfunction: A Controlled Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Dennis Munjack
Affiliation:
Temple University Hospital
Alan Cristol
Affiliation:
Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
Alan Goldstein
Affiliation:
Temple University Hospital
Debora Phillips
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Temple University Hospital
Alice Goldberg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Temple University Hospital
Katherine Whipple
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Los Angeles County—University of Southern California Medical Center
Fred Staples
Affiliation:
Los Angeles County—University of Southern California Medical Center
Pamela Kanno
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles County—University of Southern California Medical Center

Summary

Twenty-two anorgasmic women received 20 sessions of a multiple-technique behavioural therapy. The design included blind ratings by two independent assessors, multiple assessment instruments, and a waiting list control group.

Treatment was significantly better than no treatment in terms of: (1) the percentage of patients experiencing orgasm during at least 50 per cent of sexual relations; (2) the percentage of women reporting satisfactory sexual relations at least 50 per cent of the time; (3) patients' ratings of positive reactions to various sexual behaviours; and (4) assessors' global clinical ratings.

Significant improvement was also noted on the MMPI, IPAT, and Symptom Check List. Improvement was maintained at a follow-up average 9 months later. These results support the impression that a behavioural approach offers much promise in treating female orgasmic dysfunction.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1976 

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