Evaluating an Integrated Approach to Improve the Couple  Sexual Desire Disorders: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Parisa  Samadi; Zahra  Alipour; Raziyeh  Maasoumi

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i6.15919

Parisa Samadi Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Teh-ran, Iran
Zahra Alipour Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
Raziyeh Maasoumi Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Teh-ran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i6.15919

Keywords: Hypoactive sexual desire disorder; Integrated approach; Clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Treating and changing patterns of low sexual desire and dysfunctions can be done in various ways. However, it is important to recognize the value of integrated approaches when it comes to addressing these issues. To this end, we conducted a randomized clinical trial study to compare the effectiveness of an integrated approach with that of Masters-Johnson Sex Therapy (MJST) for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in Iranian couples from Mar 2016 to May 2018.

Methods: We conducted a clinical trial on 24 couples who were experiencing HSDD. The couples were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group was given an integrative approach, while the control group received MJST for ten sessions. We collected data using standard questionnaires before, immediately after, and eight weeks after the intervention.

Results: There was no significant difference in sexual desire and function among men between the MJST and integrative approach groups. However, women in the integrative approach group showed more improvement in sexual desire and dysfunction compared to those in the MJST group. The improvement in sexual function for women and sexual desire for both men and women were maintained at the eight-week follow-up in the integrative approach.

Conclusion: Our study found that using an integrative approach effectively treated HSDD in couples.