There are many services available for those needing help. Sufferers may make use of self-help literature. Some general practitioners undertake treatment for these problems; however, most would refer the client to a specialist service. These services include specialist sex therapy clinics like ours. Some marital/relationship counselling services also offer help with these problems.

Most clients with sexual problems benefit from psychological treatments. In recent years this treatment has usually taken the form of CBT. Elements of this approach include anxiety reduction, graded retraining, work on faulty beliefs and attitudes, and work on relationship issues.

Treatment is usually offered as a package, but the elements differ reflecting the specific problems and the history and circumstances of each client. Treating the couple together is seen as the best option, but individuals who do not have partners are also treated using the same basic principles.

Physical treatments are also used and in cases where an organic cause is identified, such treatment may be the treatment of choice, but even then additional CBT helps. For erectile difficulty various techniques such as medication, injections of smooth muscle relaxants (to induce erections), vacuum devices, and penile prostheses are sometimes used. In practice, the treatment depends on a careful evaluation by the therapist, and for most the CBT approach is the best option, sometimes in combination with other methods.