Critical Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO), in 1975, for the first time provided an “official” definition of sexual health. In the meantime, more and more people realize that they are dealing here not just with a medical, but also with a social and cultural issue.

As an introduction to this course we believe it useful to discuss its subject matter first in a general way. In order to understand sexual dysfunctions and their treatment fully, we should know something about the scientific and social context in which they exist. After all, when we talk about sexual problems and their solution, we are no longer talking exclusively about scientific facts, but unavoidably enter the world of value judgements. These value judgements are deeply rooted in our culture as are the problems they are trying to address.

This becomes evident when we take a closer look at the concept of sexual health and some of the silent assumptions that underlie our efforts to preserve and to restore it.