Medical Factors Related to Sexuality and Sexual Functioning(8 CE Hours)

Description: This workshop is an introduction to medical factors related to sexuality and sexual functioning. This workshop will review sexual functioning and how various medical factors can impact sexual functioning. Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, thyroid problems etc, in addition to the various medications prescribed for such medical issues, can impact sexual functioning. This workshop will provide a detailed overview of sexual functioning, common medical problems, their treatments, and common medications and how they impact sexual functioning. In addition, this workshop will help attendees work with clients who present with problems related to sexual functioning that are the result of or compounded by medical issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the biopsychosocial model and how medical, psychological, interpersonal and cultural factors co-exist to precipitate and maintain sexual dysfunction.
• List 6 medical factors- illness, medication and surgery that can impair sexual function in men and women.
• Explain the contribution of hormonal factors to male and female sexual function.
• Describe the rationale for combination medical and psychological interventions for male and female sexual dysfunctions.
• Explain the proposed model for conducting combination medical/psychological therapy in men and women with sexual dysfunctions.
• Describe 3 strategies for evaluating the relative contributions of medical, psychological and interpersonal factors in sexual dysfunctions.

Activity Schedule:

2 hours: Presentation and elaboration of the components of the biopsychosocial model and the reasons for utilizing this paradigm in the diagnosis and treatment of male and female sexual dysfunction.

2 hours: Discussing the impact of illness, medication and surgery on the sexual life in men and women. Examining the role of hormones in male and female sexual function.

1 hour: Review strategies for evaluating the relative contributions of medical, psychological and interpersonal factors in male and female sexual dysfunctions.

1 hour: Describe the rationale for conducting combination medical/psychological therapy in men and women with sexual dysfunctions.

2 hours: Present cases of erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, female hypoactive sexual desire disorder and arousal disorder and demonstrate how combination therapy can be utilized to treat them.

Speaker Bio:

Stanley E. Althof, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2004 he moved his clinical practice to West Palm Beach, Florida where he opened the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida. Dr. Althof is on the Consulting Staff of Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach. He and his two former partners were the 2005 recipients of the prestigious Masters and Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award.

In addition to teaching and clinical practice, Dr. Althof also consults with several major pharmaceutical companies to develop and validate outcome measures, design research methodologies, and conduct clinical trials on a variety of new treatment options for male and female sexual problems. Dr. Althof is Past-President of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), Past-President of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR) and the Tri-State Group Psychotherapy Society. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Menopause and the International Journal of Impotence Research and is an ad hoc reviewer for several other journals. He is the Associate Editor of two books- Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals and Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction.

As a skilled clinician and scientist, Dr. Althof’s research focuses on the psychosocial aspects of sexual dysfunction and their impact on men, women, and couples. He has been instrumental in the development of sex therapy as a sub-specialty. Dr. Althof is the author of many original publications and has contributed numerous chapters to leading textbooks in psychiatry, urology, and sex therapy. He is a highly sought after lecturer and travels extensively both internationally and within the United States to present his research findings.

Dr. Althof received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He completed an internship in clinical psychology at University Hospitals of Cleveland, which was followed by additional postgraduate work at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas.