Age-Related Hypogonadal Syndrome - Treatment

General Considerations

The DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of any sexual dysfunction has four requirements: first, diagnostic subtyping must occur (see Classification section in this chapter); second, another Axis I diagnosis be excluded (except another sexual dysfunction); third, an existing medical circumstance could not explain the dysfunction; and fourth, substance abuse also not be present. In the absence of a thorough assessment (history, physical and laboratory exams when appropriate), the clinician is actually regarding a presenting symptom rather than a diagnosis. The two should not be confused. The distinction is crucial.

Treatment follows diagnostic subtyping. (A) If HSDD is acquired and generalized, the clinician must make significant efforts towards finding the explanation(s) for the change. HSDD is sometimes (the frequence appears to be unknown) accompanied by another sexual dysfunction, especially erectile dysfunction, and when both occur together, it may be revealing and useful to find out which came first and to act accordingly. One might understand how a lack of sexual desire can cause erectile problems. Nevertheless, the opposite is not so clear. The extent to which the presence of erectile dysfunction can outcome in a generalized lack of sexual desire appears to be entirely unknown. (B) If HSDD is lifelong but situational, a biogenic explanation is unlikely and individual psychotherapy undertaken by a mental health professional seems favored. (C) If HSDD is produced but situational, a biogenic explanation is, again, unlikely (with the possibly exception of hyperprolactinemia). In this circumstance, psychotherapy seems suggested but depending on the apparent aetiology, could be rendered individually or together with a partner. (D) If the history reveals that HSDD has been lifelong and generalised, change is unlikely and the clinician should direct therapeutic energy towards helping the person (or, more likely, the couple) to adjust. Kinsey's admonition looks relevant: . . . there is a certain incredulity in the profession of the existence of people who are basically low in capacity to respond. This amounts to asserting that all people are more or less equal in their sexual endowments, and neglects the existence of individual variation. No one who knows how remarkably different individuals may be in morphology, in physiological reactions, and in other psychologic capacities, could conceptualise of erotic contents (of all things) that were basically uniform throughout a population.

About The Author

David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Reviews company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2009 David Crawford of Male Enhancement Facts This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Treatment of Sexual Disorders - Evolution of Current Treatment Approaches