Management of Sexual Disorders - Does being Muslim make any difference?

Sex therapists do not practice in an ideal standard world. Societies and religions differ about what behaviours (including sexual ones) will be accepted or tolerated and thus problems, especially sexual ones, and their management are not free from cultural and/or religious norms. Because religion is such a personal aspect of human life, it is bound to play a role in determining sexual values and behaviours. Religious beliefs determine whether sexually dysfunctional people will seek out treatment in the first place. Muslims would be very unlikely to discuss matters of their sexual lives outside home. By keeping sexual issues private, the couple ensures mutual respect. However, this attitude would also prevent couples from seeking necessary help on time. Some religious beliefs may generate resistance to therapy or influence a patient’s ability to make good use of treatment. When homework instructions such as non-genital or genital sensate focus are given to couples some react with the Islamic belief? that procreation is the sole and only purpose of sex. In fact although procreation is definitely an aim, it is not an exclusive aim in Islam. The Qur\'an does not forbid sex when a woman reaches menopause. Another issue is the use of masturbation as a means of treatment tool. The majority of Islamic scholars consider masturbation forbidden. This creates problems in prescribing masturbation as a powerful treatment method especially for those without partner. Other issues like premarital and extramarital sexual behaviour, shamefulness of sexuality, homosexuality in Islam and their impact will be discussed. Shortly, some difficulties and roadblocks faced during assessment and treatment of sexual problems will be discussed emphasizing that western therapies are not always universally applicable. Most of the information communicated in this presentation is based on experiences with clients living in Turkey, a Muslim but secular society.


Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: None disclosed
Recorded: Sydney, Australia, April 2007