Sexual Dysfunction: Primary, Secondary or a by-product of secret issues?

Introduction: To explore the referral diagnosis of sexual dysfunction from a psychosexual basis.



Methods: A retrospective analysis of 50 women who were referred to a clinical sexologist for varying aspects of sexual dysfunction during January 2016 – December 2016



Results: Although 100% of women exhibited a variety of sexual dysfunction, 44% displayed variables of sexual abstinence due to real and perceived problems that directly impacted upon their ability to participate in sexual intimacy. Factors not explored or discussed by the referring Health Care Professional (HCP) included urinary incontinence, religious/spiritual beliefs, perception of guilt relating to previous sexual behaviours and ill health of the partner.


Discussion: Sexual Dysfunction referrals encompass a broad range of issues. These fall into sub-categories being further classified as primary and secondary. It is identified that a reasonable proportion is still incorrectly identified by the HCP, missing the underlying true reason for sexual abstinence. The ability to ask/frame questions within the assessment is significant to unlocking the contributing or causal problem. Incorporating specific questions assists in decreasing/removing any sense of guilt the woman may have around this.

Sexual Dysfunction: Primary, Secondary or a by-product of secret issues?

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland