Abstract
This chapter reports on the use of masturbation in the treatment of women who have never experienced orgasm (primary orgasmic dysfunction). A nine-step program was developed by the authors that includes directed masturbation in conjunction with sensate pleasuring and other therapy procedures.
A study done by Kohlenberg [Directed Masturbation and the Treatment of Primary Orgasmic Dysfunction, Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1974, 3 (4) 349–356] attempted to test the effectiveness of using masturbation as an adjunct to treatment. The subjects were three couples who had not benefited from a treatment program modeled after that of Masters and Johnson, which did not include masturbation. In all three cases the women became orgasmic at some point after masturbation training was begun.
In spite of the demonstrated effectiveness of masturbation training, some clinicians do not include masturbation as part of their treatment program. It is possible to achieve reasonably good outcome with some primary orgasmic patients using a program that does not include masturbation. However, for those patients who do not do well, referral to a program that included masturbation would be indicated.
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LoPiccolo, J., Lobitz, W.C. (1978). The Role of Masturbation in the Treatment of Orgasmic Dysfunction. In: LoPiccolo, J., LoPiccolo, L. (eds) Handbook of Sex Therapy. Perspectives in Sexuality. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3973-1_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-3973-1_13
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