Finding the Right Doctor to Help with Your Sexual Problem by Leonard DeRogatis, Ph.D.
Sexual functioning is a private and sensitive area that few of us are comfortable discussing openly. Although close friends can listen, it's unlikely they will know enough about the problem to help. In other areas of health care our first thought is to turn to our personal physician. Much too often, however, when a person brings his or her concerns about a sexual problem to their physician, disappointment is the result. Surprisingly, many patients say that their physicians were not very helpful with these problems unless the problem involves some form of infection, allergic reaction, or traumatic injury. Their doctors seemed as uncomfortable as they did in discussing the problem.
How can this be? Are doctors sleeping through lectures on sexual medicine in medical school? What about gynecologists and urologists? Aren't sexual problems right down their alley? The answers to these questions are complicated.
First of all, in many medical schools there are no lectures on sexual dysfunctions. With enormous pressure to train physicians in diseases like cancer and heart disease, there are simply not enough classroom hours left to cover human sexuality. Gynecologists and urologists are essentially surgeons who specialize in disorders of the genitourinary and reproductive systems. Sexual dysfunctions often involve not only physiological systems but also psychological conflicts and troubled interpersonal relationships. These physicians have not been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders or marital conflicts and often do not feel comfortable treating these cases.
If this is the case, what is a person with a sexual problem to do? The answer is to spend some time to find a specialist in sexual medicine. A variety of medical specialties have individuals specializing in sexual health. There are gynecologists, urologists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, nurse practitioners, and other professionals who are trained in sexual medicine and the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. Begin by asking your physician for a referral. You also can contact local medical societies for information. Yellow pages in the phone book provide some information on physicians and other professionals in the area as well.
Finally, get on the Web to read about national and international professional and consumer organizations like the American Urological Association, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, the Society for Sex Therapy and Research, or
http://www.SexualHealth.com. One or more of these sites may offer information or treatment resources of interest to you.
Having an effective and fulfilling sexual life is a right that we all possess. We should never surrender that right meekly. Instead, put your intelligent self-regard in gear and find effective help.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
