The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Female Sexual Dysfunctions Download PDF

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in women with sexual dysfunctions resistant to common sex therapy (cognitive-behavioral and bio-medical), and to evaluate their improvement and maintenance required during follow-up. Method: After subjecting the female clients with sexual dysfunctions in Tehran to several inclusion criteria, and therapeutic screening, five subjects were found to be suitable for the study. The subjects underwent ISTDP. Data was collected using Female Sexual Function Index, Sexual Quality of Life–Female questionnaire, and Subjective Evaluation of Partner’s Sexual Function Scale. Findings: Results showed that a) ISTDP in comparison with common sex therapy improves sexual function of this type of subjects beyond the normal threshold. Therefore, this change leads to significant improvement in the sexual quality of life; b) trend of changes, when the first breakthrough to the unconscious occurred in a subject, showed considerable growth which can be the evidence for psychodynamic etiology of sexual dysfunction; c) promotion of sexual function and sexual quality of life in subjects was remarkable during the follow-up session. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in Treatment-Resistant Sexual Dysfunctions, integrative, intensive, and short-term contemporary dynamic psychotherapy can be a suitable alternative for common sex therapy.