Optimising clinical interventions for sexual difficulties within a relationship

Sexual dysfunction is a common experience for both men and women. Its management and treatment is often limited by patient and physician ignorance. In addition, medical and interventional organ-focussed therapies in medicine often fail to treat the individual as a whole person, and systemically clinicians often fail to recognise the importance of assessing whether the relationship (when present) is in need of professional input. This article reviews recent clinical advances in the management of men, women and couples with sexual problems using both medical and psychological interventions.