Objective: This presentation deal with issues of concern in sexology, as they have appeared in sexological publications in the period between 2001 and 2010. Examples are concerns about evidence base; on one side there is concern that there are so few randomized and controlled studies addressing psychological approaches and sex therapy in itself. On the other hand, there is concern that sexual problems are too complex to fit into standardized manuals, and that such simplifications cannot give justice to the complexity of sexual problems as they are embedded in culture and personal relationships. Another issue of concern is the fragmentation of sexology, due to market driven forces that restrict funding to biomedical ways of treatment, leaving more complex, but also more comprehensive treatment methods without funding. It is for example of concern that the number of AASECT certified sex therapists dropped from 928 in 1987 to 392 in 2002. Design and Method: These issues will be addressed based on a systematic literature search for publications on psychological treatment of sexual problems between 2001 and 2010. Results: A total of 261 publications were found, 49 of these concerned therapy as such. Among these, 38 addressed specific treatment methods, and 11 addressed different topics of discussion. This presentation will analyze the 11 articles and the concerns that are discussed. Conclusions: One of the aims is to pinpoint and highlight important issues for the development of better treatment for sexual problems.
Issues of Concern in Sexology