What treatment should be used for dysfunction?
Your doctor should first take your current lifestyle into consideration. By dealing with certain causative factors damaging behaviours, you can improve your problem, and slow the progression of your condition. This may involve:
• stopping smoking
• cutting down on alcohol consumption
• reducing stress
• losing weight
• exercising more.
Your doctor should also take into account any medication you are currently prescribed such as remedies for hypertension. In fact, any drug treatment must take into account your total health and medical treatment history.
If counselling is considered, the purpose may be to:
• improve your relationship with your partner
• overcome anxiety or stress
• treat your depression
• find a solution for a related behavioural problem.
The choice of medical treatment is based on the cause of the problem and on the patient and his partner's wishes. The success of the treatment will depend on the attitude and acceptance of both partners for whatever treatment is implemented. You may not wish to have any of the treatments mentioned. Some couples choose to practise what has been called 'outercourse'. This may involve bringing the limp penis to orgasm by one of the following techniques:
• by manual stimulation, using a vibrator or by oral sex
• interfemoral intercourse (the partner will produce orgasm by stimulating the limp penis between the thighs)
• frottage (this is non-penetrative thrusting).
*28\4*
