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An Innovation in the “Behavioural” Treatment of a Case of Non-consummation due to Vaginismus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Alan J. Cooper*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Morningside Park, Edinburgh 10

Extract

The majority of “behaviourally oriented” treatments for non-consummation due to vaginismus combine (a) teaching the patient how to relax the perineal muscles, (b) simultaneous vaginal exploration and dilatation, preferably performed by the patient herself, and (c) some form of psychotherapy (Lazarus, 1963; Malleson, 1942; Friedman, 1962; Brady, 1966). Surprisingly perhaps, active participation by the male spouse is considered unnecessary by some experts (Malleson, 1942; Friedman, 1962). Friedman has shown there was no statistical relationship between actively involving the male in therapy and the outcome of treatment.

Type
Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1969 

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References

Brady, J. P. (1966). “Brevital relaxation treatment of frigidity.” J. Behav. Res. and Ther., 4, 71.Google Scholar
Cooper, A. J. (1964). “Behaviour therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma.” Ibid., i, 351.Google Scholar
Friedman, L. J. (1962). Virgin Wives. Tavistock: London.Google Scholar
Lazarus, A. A. (1963). “The treatment of chronic frigidity by systematic desensitization therapy.” J. nerv. ment. Dis., 136, 272.Google Scholar
Malleson, J. (1942). “Vaginismus: its management and psychogenesis.” Brit. med. J., ii, 213.Google Scholar
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