Behavioral Therapies for Treating Female Sexual Dysfunctions: A State-of-the-Art Review

Abstract

Many possible factors impact sexual wellbeing for women across the lifespan, and holistic approaches are being utilized to promote health and to address sexual concerns. Female sexual dysfunction disorders, including female orgasmic disorder, female sexual interest/arousal disorder and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, negatively impact quality of life for many women. To reduce distress and improve sexual functioning, numerous behavioral therapies have been tested to date. Here, we present a state-of-the-art review of behavioral therapies for female sexual dysfunction disorders, focusing on empirically validated approaches. Multiple psychotherapies have varying degrees of support, with cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies arguably having the most empirical support. Nonetheless, several limitations exist of the studies conducted to date, including the frequent grouping together of multiple types of sexual dysfunctions in randomized clinical trials. Thus, additional research is needed to advance treatment development for female sexual dysfunctions and to promote female sexual health.

Understanding sexual distress related to sexual function (SDRSF): A preliminary framework based on a qualitative study with clinical sexologists

“…Also, when working with people with SDRSF, referral to mental health specialists may be necessary as any intervention should consider and address factors that contribute to and exacerbate SDRSF, as shown in the other themes. To help people diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions, intervention models that have a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis and that have shown empirical evidence in reducing symptomatology (e.g., mindfulness-based therapies [ Banbury et al, 2023 ], transdiagnostic interventions for emotional disorders [ Dalgleish et al, 2020 ], and the cognitive-behavioral approach [ Mestre-Bach et al, 2022 ]) should be used.…”

Using network analysis to model associations between psychological symptoms, sexual function, and sexual distress in women

“…Relatedly, targeting psychological symptoms may benefit sexual function through decreasing sexual distress, consistent with research showing that cognitive behavioural interventions for psychological symptoms incidentally decrease problems with sexual function ( Hoyer et al, 2009 ). Accordingly, cognitive behavioural interventions for sexual dysfunction frequently target sexual distress (e.g., through cognitive restructuring of maladaptive thoughts related to sexual problems or targeting negative affective responses to sex; Mestre-Bach et al, 2022 ). Moreover, established treatments for sexual dysfunction like mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy are effective both for targeting sexual distress, and depression and anxiety ( Brotto et al, 2021; Rashedi et al, 2022 ; Goldberg et al, 2019 ; Li et al, 2021 ).…”

The effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on sexual function in reproductive aged women with hypothyroidism: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Mestre-Bach et al (2022) conducted a review study. They focused on “the psychotherapeutic approaches used in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction disorders” and reported cognitive-behavioral counseling as a successful treatment [ 26 ].…”