How Therapy Can Help

Dr. Kolzet’s approach to treating sexual difficulties is CBT oriented. CBT can provide individuals with the tools and strategies they need to overcome sexual difficulties and improve their sexual health and well-being.

What are Sexual Difficulties?

A group of psychological disorders that are characterized by an inability to engage in, respond to, or experience satisfaction with a sexual act. Though there are various different sexual difficulties, all of them can lead to mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression. 

If you think you might have a sexual functioning issue, please consider the following questions:

• How would you describe your sexual desire?

• Is intercourse painful or dissatisfying for you?

• On a scale from 1 to 10 how would you rate your sex life?

• Have you recently experienced any major life changes or stressors?

• Are you able to achieve orgasm? If so, how long does it take?

• Have you noticed any changes in your libido or sexual desire?

Types of Sexual Difficulties

Sexual difficulties are are characterized by a lack of desire or interest in sex, an inability to become aroused, a delay or absence of an orgasm or, the experience of pain during sexual activity.

One of the most talked about sexual difficulties is erectile dysfunction. However, there are sexual concerns that uniquely affect women as well, such as the inability to relax vaginal muscles to allow for intercourse. Further, there are other sexual concerns that can impact both men and women such as low libido.

Other sexual difficulties may include:

• Premature ejaculation (ejaculating before desired)

• Delayed ejaculation (difficulty reaching orgasm)

• Low libido (lack of sexual desire or interest)

• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

• Difficulty with arousal (not feeling sexually aroused or excited)

• Inability to orgasm (anorgasmia)

• Sexual anxiety or performance anxiety

How Therapy Helps

It can be helpful when patients are specific about the sexual problem they want to address at the start of therapy. The focus of therapy is on how you are currently thinking, feeling and behaving with regard to your sexual concern. Dr. Kolzet focuses on these factors, as sexual difficulties are influenced by the way we are thinking about them, our feelings about them and how we are interacting with our partners in relation to them. It is important to feel safe and cared for while addressing sexual concerns; Dr. Kolzet makes that a priority.