Who Needs a Sex Therapist?
Many people find it difficult to talk about sex and sexual health challenges. They encounter issues like poor sexual performance and low libido but can only manage to discuss them with their partners and no one else. This is where sex therapists come in. They are trained professionals who specialize in issues regarding human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior. They can also address the physiological, psychological, and cultural factors that may get in the way of their clients’ sex lives. Sex therapists could be specialists in psychology, psychiatry, and social work.
Sex therapy sessions vary according to the challenges, patients, and therapists involved. Sex therapy is usually talking therapy. Sex therapists would habitually begin by asking for details about their clients` sexual history. Depending on the circumstance, some therapists may ask clients to bring their partners along. Recommendations also differ from patient to patient. Usually, therapists give their clients homework in between sessions. The homework may range from communication exercises to sexual experimentation activities.
What to Know Before Visiting a Sex Therapist
Ascertain your Sexual Challenges
It is crucial that you know why exactly you`re seeking help. What sexual challenges do you have? And what are your expectations? Also, are you prepared to work with a therapist on your challenges? Are you willing to discuss intimate issues with them? These are vital questions to ask before seeing a therapist.
Consider the Therapist’s Qualifications
You need to be sure if the therapist you’re visiting has adequate experience and credentials. It would be great to visit a therapist who is certified by a professional organization, has some psychotherapy training, human sexuality training, and sex therapy training.
Inquire About the Therapist’s Treatment Plan
It is essential to ask your potential sex therapist about their treatment plan. Find out the financial and time commitment required and see if it works for you.
10 Reasons to See a Sex Therapist
Loss of Sexual Desire
This is one of the most common reasons people see sex therapists. There are a number of factors that affect sexual desire. Discovering these factors is the first phase of solving the problem. Some of these factors are job loss, the birth of a baby, grief, among others. A sex therapist can work with you and your partner to tackle these issues in order to have a long term fulfilling sexual relationship.
Troubles with Orgasm
Some people have problems attaining orgasm at some point in their relationship. A sex therapist can help you uncover the cause of this, and teach you how to make your sex life fulfilling. This may be through communication with your partner or some other means.
Premature Ejaculation
Premature ejaculation may not be a problem, except it happens often. It sure is a huge barrier to having a fulfilling sex life. A number of factors ranging from anxiety, stress, and many others can be causes of premature ejaculation. There are a series of tasks and exercises that your sex therapist can recommend to help you last longer.
Sexual Trauma
Victims recover from sexual assault in different ways. Some people may need to see a mental health professional, while others may specifically need the service of a sex therapist. Ensuring that a healing process is ongoing is essential to having a fulfilling sex life.
Painful Sex
This is more common with women. They may have challenges having penetrative sex or even find it outright impossible. Your sex therapist can help you ascertain if the pain is as a result of psychological or physiological factors, and proffer solutions to the challenge.
Erectile Dsyfunction
Most men will experience erectile dysfunction at some point during their lives. An inability to get or maintain an erection may be due to illness, trauma, anxiety, or surgery. Such men will sex therapy helpful, as it will help them realize the cause of the problem.
Mismatched Sexual Desires
This can be a challenge in relationships. A partner may have a higher libido than the other, or have a sexual desire that the other does not subscribe to. Partners with interest in BDSM, for instance, can pose a challenge to their spouse who has no interest in it. Such couples may need a sex therapist to help them deal with their incompatible desires. Some may need to end the relationship or come to a compromise.
Pornography and Other Sexual Addictions
There are unhealthy sex habits that may affect couples. Some of these are addictions to pornography, virtual sex, prostitutes, masturbation, among others. These may cause destruction in trust, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction. Sex therapists can help couples deal with these addictions, and eventually rebuild trust and connection.
A Cheating Partner
Having a cheating partner may cause a marriage to end, however, some couples might decide to explore forgiveness and give their union another try. Such couples may need sex therapy to help rebuild trust and heal.
Issues After Childbirth
A number of couples complain that the arrival of children ruins their sex life. Couples struggle with sudden changes such as keeping late nights with infants, breastfeeding, among other adjustments. This makes a number of couples have less sex, and as a result, encounter emotional and intimacy challenges. Changes in women`s hormone levels after childbirth may cause a lower sex drive, while men may be struggling with body changes that their wives experience at this time.
Home Remedies for Sexual Challenges
Sometimes, before getting sex therapy, there are basic lifestyle changes you can make to address some sexual challenges. Let`s take a look.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol adds to weight gain and the development of some chronic diseases such as liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Some of these conditions result in sexual dysfunction. If you are addicted to alcohol, you are advised to seek help.
Stop Smoking
Here`s another reason to stop smoking, as it is one of the causes of erectile dysfunction. It is also important to avoid secondhand smoking because it has the same effect on your health as direct smoking does.
Exercise Regularly
Engaging in regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight and maintain overall body health. Exercise is also great for managing stress and anxiety which are major causes of poor sexual health.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
You are advised to lose excess weight if you are overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for a number of health conditions that may result in sexual dysfunction. The common effects of being overweight are low body image and low self-esteem.
Some Interesting Sex Facts
- The average male orgasm lasts six seconds, while females may have orgasms that last up to 20 seconds or more.
- Masturbation reduces the risk of diabetes and insomnia.
- It`s only a myth that masturbation causes cancer, blindness, and hairy palms.
- The clitoris has 8,000 nerve endings, which is double the amount on the penis.
- Sex increases immunity to pain because orgasms trigger hormones that increase the pain threshold.
- Sex is great for curing headaches.
- People who have sex about three times a week look 5-7 years younger than those who don`t.
- There are women who orgasm easier through nipple stimulation.
- It`s difficult to urinate immediately after sex because an anti-diuretic hormone is released when one orgasms.
- Some women orgasm in about four minutes through masturbation, meanwhile, may take up to 20 minutes during intercourse.
