Behavioural Treatment of Orgasmic Dysfunction: A Controlled Study

Abstract

Twenty-two anorgasmic women received 20 sessions of a multiple-technique behavioural therapy. The design included blind ratings by two independent assessors, multiple assessment instruments, and a waiting list control group. Treatment was significantly better than no treatment in terms of: (1) the percentage of patients experiencing orgasm during at least 50 per cent of sexual relations; (2) the percentage of women reporting satisfactory sexual relations at least 50 per cent of the time; (3) patients' ratings of positive reactions to various sexual behaviours; and (4) assessors' global clinical ratings. Significant improvement was also noted on the MMPI, IPAT, and Symptom Check List. Improvement was maintained at a follow-up average 9 months later. These results support the impression that a behavioural approach offers much promise in treating female orgasmic dysfunction.

Recent developments in therapy for sexual dysfunction

“…Since then, limited progress has been made in investigating the efficacy and ingredients of various forms of treatment for sexual dysfunction, together with the influence of certain client characteristics upon their outcome (Jehu, 1979). Notable among the few contributions to date are the investigations conducted by Munjack, et al (1976) and Mathews, et al (1976). In the former study with women complaining of orgastic dysfunction, there was greater improvement among those given individually tailored behavioural treatment compared to other subjects who remained on a waiting list for treatment.…”

“…Masters and Johnson (1970) achieved high success rates with the largest series of sexually dysfunctional patients ever reported; however, because of the uncontrolled nature of their study, we do not know how well these patients would have fared if they had received other forms of treatment or no treatment at all. Notable among the few contributions to date are the investigations conducted by Munjack, et al (1976) and Mathews, et al (1976). Since then, limited progress has been made in investigating the efficacy and ingredients of various forms of treatment for sexual dysfunction, together with the influence of certain client characteristics upon their outcome (Jehu, 1979).…”

“…Perhaps the most notable contraindication is a severe degree of discord between the partners. The results of several studies indicate a poorer outcome when this is present (Mathews, Bancroft, Whitehead, Hackmann, Julier, Bancroft, Gath, & Shaw, 1976;McGovern, Stewart, & LoPiccolo, 1975;Munjack, Cristol, Goldstein, Phillips, Goldberg, Whipple, Staples, & Kanno, 1976) ; a possible reason for this is that the prescribed sexual assignments are either not attempted or are sabotaged in some way. Thus, an insecure wife may be unable to comply with a therapeutically negotiated ban on intercourse in case her husband should reject or desert her.…”

Sex therapy outcome research: a reappraisal of methodology

“…Some studies provide no information on the comparability of treatment groups prior to treatment (e.g. Munjack et al 1976;Crowe et al 1981).…”

Standard Operating Procedures for Female Orgasmic Disorder: Consensus of the International Society for Sexual Medicine

“…This approach has shown potential for individuals suffering from anxiety related to sexual activities including Acquired FOD caused by anxiety. While some studies have shown that systematic desensitization is better than assertion training or a waiting list, others have found that this approach helps improve sexual anxiety but not orgasm functioning and yet others have reported effects similar to DM [58–60]. A review of relevant studies concluded that DM training over 6–14 sessions was more effective than systematic desensitization [50].…”