Does ideal cooperation exist between gynaecologist and
sexologist?
D. Baumane, D. Balodis, M. Orleana
Diplomatic Service Medicine Centre, Riga, Latvia, Medical centre IAC, Riga,
Latvia, and Faculty of Medicine,
Latvia University, Riga, Latvia
Approximately 26% of all women in Latvia suffer
from sexual dysfunction. Around 9% of women aged 40-60 do not have a permanent
sexual partner. It is common for sexual problems not to be accented during a
visit to the doctor and a woman will primarily visit a gynaecologist only for
some specific gynaecological complaint. The ailments most often encountered by a
gynaecologist fall broadly within the following groups: Algodysmenorrhoea, myoma,
mastopathy, recurring endometrial and cervical polyps and disturbances of the
menstrual cycle.
There is also a small proportion of women, showing vague
symptoms but who do not demonstrate any visually observable pathology.
After
carefully analysing patient’s anamneses, it was concluded that all patients had
a single common problem – dissatisfaction with their sexual life. All patients
diagnosed with a gynaecological illness received appropriate treatment and were
at the same time referred for consultation by a psychotherapist-sexologist.
The
following problems were observed during treatment: Some patients refuse to be
treated by a sexologist, treatment is inappropriate for some patients, some
discontinue treatment for personal or financial reasons, while some continue and
are treated successfully.
Conclusions
-
It is essential to develop clear
selection criteria for patients with gynaecological ailments, and for whom
consultation with a sexologist is considered essential.
-
It is essential to
establish principles for cooperation between the gynaecologist and the
psychotherapist-sexologist, for the treatment of patients with gynaecological
illnesses and sexual disturbances.
-
It is important to secure a reversible
connection between specialists of both fields during the treatment of the
patient.