What do we need to know about sexology in our urologic practice?

Objective.-To know the different types in sex therapy and their usefulness in urologic practice. Material and methods.-Review of articles published on this subject in the Medline (Pub-med) database, selected according to their scientific relevance, and a reflexion from our own experience. Results.-Most pathologies can affect sexual function and a relationship directly or indirectly. It is advisable, therefore, to question patients about their sexual health, in particular during or after certain illnesses where deterioration of sexual function is more and more well known. Urologists are often faced with patients having such problems and should be familiar with the sexological approach so as to participate in multidisciplinary management of these problems, since urology alone does not bring a solution. The main axes of sex therapy: the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational factors, will be associated as necessary and adapted to each case. The main objective is a holistic management of the problem with the patient and the partner going beyond the purely sexual aspect. Pharmaceutical treatment of the sexual problem alone, without taking into account the personal and relational problems of the patients, often leads to failure or abandon of the treatment in spite of initial success. By fixing a therapeutic strategy with the patients, based on their clear expectations, they become the actors in the recovery of a satisfactory sex life, with an interactive dialogue with the sex therapist. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.