Sexological treatment in a public Danish somatic clinic

SummaryThere are two public sexological clinics in Denmark. The aim of the paper is to describe treatment methods, medical evaluation performed according to diagnosis at referral and the distribution of sexual dysfunctions presented at the only public sexological clinic in Denmark placed in a somatic hospital. The uptake population is three million people. The clinic was founded in 2006 as a unit of a regional gynaecological obstetrical department. Only patients who are not in a concomitant therapy and who are without abuse of alcohol or drugs and without major psychiatric illness or borderline disturbances are admitted. A review of the journals from 2006–2008 has showed the following distribution: the diagnoses among female patients were: hypoactive sexual desire 39.4%, vaginism 21.9%, dyspareunia 12.1%, anorgasmia 3.9%, partner-performance problems 18.8%, other problems 3.9%. The distributions of dysfunctions among male patients were: erectile dysfunction 16.8%, premature ejaculation 7.6%, anejaculation/delayed ejaculation 3.8%, hypoactive sexual disorder 8.8%, hypersexuality 0.8%, partner-performance problems 59.7%, and other problems 2.5%. Treatment is undertaken by a team of consultant gynecologists, nurses and a psychologist. A detailed description of our diagnostic and treatment setup is offered in this paper. The multidisciplinary approach makes a true biopsychosocial approach possible. Thus, hormone replacement therapy, Phosphodiestase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5) inhibitor treatment and use of antidepressants are combined with intensive therapy. Sensate focus training forms the sexological backbone of the therapy being used as sound in the patients’ sexual issues and problem solving abilities.