The founders of our recent understanding of the physiology and "pathology" of human 

sexuality are the researchers and authors, Masters and Johnson.  Their first book, 

Human Sexual Response, studies sexual anatomy and physiology. Their second book deals 

with sexual problems and is (badly) named Human Sexual Inadequacy.  Their books are so 

difficult to understand that books have been written to explain their books!  One of 

these is "Understanding Human Sexual Inadequacy - by Masters and Johnson"  written by 

Belliveau and Richter. The arrival of the drug Viagra has changed our approach to many of the 

problems highlighted here.



1) What are the physical causes of sexual dysfunction?

2) How do you diagnose these causes and try to treat them?

3) Which organisations provide and teach psycho-sexual counsellors?



4) Consider how you would take a history from and what help you could offer to the 
    following patients:


   A 28 year old married woman with two children who says "I can't bear my husband to touch me"

   A 60 year old married man who cannot get an erection.

   An embarrassed 25 year old man who "comes too quickly", before he enters his girlfriend or wife.

   A  newly married 23 year old woman who cannot manage intercourse because it is too painful 
  for her husband to enter her. She is very upset because she feels the marriage
  will break down or could even be annulled.

   A 30 year old happily married woman who has never had an orgasm.

   A 30 year old happily married woman who has stopped having orgasms.


You may find it helpful to visit our local Urologist's contribution to this 

site, on Viagra (Sildenafil). Click Here to go there. 



5) What sexual problems might occur as a result of the following conditions, and how 

   might you be able to help?

		Termination of pregnancy

		Blood pressure treatment

		Depression

		Diabetes Mellitus

		Divorce and remarriage

		Carcinoma of the breast

		Carcinoma of the prostate

		Remarriage after the death of a beloved spouse

		Myocardial infarction

		A wonderful new relationship after the breakdown of a 
                                previous happy and successful sexual relationship


Feel free to add any other problem cases you think you may encounter.


                                                               Andrew Crawshaw - Mevagissey 1998