The Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions - Sex Therapy

The “Classic” Dysfunctions - The Treatment of Male Sexual Dysfunctions

As a result of sexual stimulation, the spongy bodies inside the penis (the corpus spongiosum and the two corpora cavernosa) become tumescent, i.e. are filled with blood.

Problems of Tumescence: Lack of Erection
A chronic lack of tumescence, i.e. a lack of erection, can have a variety of physical causes such as injuries, diseases, and disorders - from a severing of nerves to diabetes and prostate cancer. Indeed, a man's frequent tumescence problems may be the first signs of some developing serious illness. Any case of a bothersome  "erectile dysfunction" therefore requires a thorough physical examination. Part of this may also be a sexological examination and/or an overnight test in a sleep lab, using a penile plethysmograph. It may also be advisable to take an extensive sex history.  Obviously, a diagnosis of  serious illness requires medical treatment, and such cases are not discussed here.
However, the erection necessary for sexual intercourse may very well be lacking for other, relatively harmless physical reasons, especially in older, but otherwise healthy men. Several pharmaceutical companies are now marketing special medications that facilitate tumescence. These so-called potency pills have proved helpful in many cases, provided the men had first undergone a physical examination in order to preclude harmful side effects.
Tumescence problems may also have psycho-social causes. Many men cannot achieve or maintain erections when they attempt intercourse, but have no such problem when they are alone. Clearly, in these cases, a physical cause can be ruled out and one has to look elsewhere. Indeed, very often the real cause turns out to be an attitude or relationship problem.
The here following text first deals with simple physical causes of tumescence problems and then with. the most common psycho-social causes. Similarly, in the section on treatment, the use of mechanical devices and medication is discussed first, followed by that of psychological and behavioral therapy.