Psychotherapy of sexual dysfunction in Arab patients

Abstract EN

The material in this paper is based on the experience at a tertiary care general hospital and a major university medical school in Saudi Arabia.

Most of our patients are from middle and upper middle social classes.

Because of the taboo on sexuality in this culture, female complaints of sexual dysfunction are usually hidden but may be disclosed fortuitously during marital therapy.

More frequently, the male unilaterally presents with a sexual dysfunction, since he feels it would be inappropriate for his wife to discuss sexual issues with a stranger.

The treatment should be modified to help the patient achieve the maximum possible satisfaction in the sexual relationship.

While respecting his desire and the culturally-imposed prohibition on having his wife in the office at the same time.

Conservatism in sexual behaviour has always been a strong factor in minimizing the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and illegitimate births, and has supported the stability of family life.

However, when the religious and cultural values are misinterpreted or not observed accurately, the resultant emotional conflict might be presented in the psychiatric clinic as sexual dysfunction.

Commonly encountered types of sexual dysfunction in Arab culture are mainly (1) low sexual desire, (2) orgasmic dysfunction and (3) excitement stage disorders.

We will discuss each of these, and attempt to identify the cultural factors that might modulate their presentation and treatment.