A Sexual Therapy Primer for Fertility Counselors

Sexuality, including sexual functioning, is an important part of health and well-being. Sexual dysfunction is the persistent impairment in a domain of sexual function (desire, arousal, or orgasm) or sexual pain that is associated with significant personal distress. The relationship between infertility and sexual dysfunction is not well understood, though evidence suggests that this relationship is likely bidirectional and individuals with infertility have higher rates of disruptions in sexual functioning. The etiology of male and female sexual dysfunction is most commonly multifactorial and treatment for sexual dysfunction typically requires an interdisciplinary approach. Routine screening for sexual dysfunction is recommended. Infertility mental health professionals are well-suited to screen for sexual dysfunction, and therapeutic interventions for the management of sexual dysfunction exist. Commonly used existing approaches that are summarized here include cognitive–behavioral therapy, sensate focus sex therapy, mindfulness-based behavior therapy or mindfulness-based cognitive–behavioral therapy, and directed masturbation training.