The Application of Sex Therapy for Unconsummated Marriage

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To clarify the clinical features and causes of unconsummated marriage (UCM) in China and to report the clinical efficacy and different evolution trends of sex therapy for UCM. Methods: A total of 293 UCM couples were evaluated from 2019 to 2022. UCM lasted from 1 month to 10 years. A total of 185 couples received sex therapy (or a combination of negative pressure devices and phosphodiesterase inhibitors), 43 erectile dysfuncton(ED) patients received phosphodiesterase inhibitors, 40 ED patients received intracavernosal injection (ICI), and 25 premature ejaculation (PE) patients received local anaesthetics or dapoxetine orally. The median follow-up time was 10.3 months. Results: Factors among males and females and common factors may lead to the occurrence of UCM. Almost all patients had a lack of sexual knowledge, male ED (186), PE (49), low libido (16), female genital penetration disorder (vaginismus, coitophobia) (197), sexual arousal disorder (48), and hyposexuality (11) (many patients had more than one factor). A total of 166 couples (89.73%) who received sex therapy successfully completed sexual intercourse, 11 patients withdrew from the treatment, and the average treatment time was 4.5 months. During the follow-up, 35 patients (21.08%) also needed adjuvant drugs (phosphodiesterase inhibitors, local anaesthetics or dapoxetine), and 131 patients (78.92%) performed well. Three pairs (6.98%) in the phosphodiesterase inhibitors group and 11 pairs (27.50%) in the ICI group were successful; four couples (16.00%) in the local anaesthetic or dapoxetine group were successful, all of whom had normal sexual partners (no organic disease, only lack of sexual knowledge). Conclusion: The causes of UCM in China are complex, the therapeutic method of sex therapy (or combined with a negative pressure device and phosphodiesterase inhibitors) is effective, and the follow-up is satisfactory. Oral medication and ICI therapy for PE/ED are not effective for sexual partners with sexual problems.