Treatment of male sexual dysfunction: Sex therapy compared with systematic desensitization and rational emotive therapy

Two studies on the treatment of male sexual dysfunction are reported. In Study I, 24 couples were placed on a 6-week waiting list and subsequently treated with systematic desensitization (SD) or an adaptation of the Masters and Johnson method (sex therapy, ST). Sexual function, satisfaction with the relationship, self-esteem and social anxiety were evaluated at the start of the waiting period, before and after treatment and in a follow-up. Both SD and ST led to improvement of sexual functioning, but a significant difference between treatments could not be demonstrated. Neither SD nor ST improved satisfaction with the relationship. In Study II, 32 couples were assigned to ST or rational emotive therapy (RET). Sixteen couples dropped out of treatment. As compared with males who completed treatment, males who dropped out functioned relatively well sexually. Other differences between drop-outs and treatment-completers could not be demonstrated. In couples completing therapy, both ST and RET led to improvement of sexual functioning. Satisfaction with the relationship improved only in couples treated with RET. Significant differences between ST and RET could not be demonstrated in a valid way.