Psycho-Sexual Care
Psychological Counseling & Evaluation
Women and girls living with female genital mutilation (FGM/C) are more likely to experience psychological problems than women without FGM/C.
FGM/C victims may need additional care as well as psychological support, when seeking surgical interventions to correct complications of FGM.
Recent WHO guidelines recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for women and girls experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Guidelines also suggest that preoperative counselling for de-infibulation, and psychological support alongside surgical interventions, can help women manage the physiological and psychological changes following surgery.
Understanding women's psychology, pains and desires, as well as social and cultural factors that influence women's mental well-being, may help identify the types of interventions they may need at different times and stages of their lives. It also summarizes evidence on women's cultural values, preferences, and conditions that may be required to provide psychological and counseling interventions.
We focus on tailoring every woman’s treatment to her own individual needs. Psycho-sexual care is paramount in the treatment of women suffering from FGM. Our goal is to provide a well rounded system of treating each and every individual patient according to what she needs, whether it is Psycho-sexual support, Non-surgical therapies or Surgical restorative surgery
Sexual Education
Most women do not have an understanding of their own genitalia and how it functions. It is important for any woman to understand her body and how it works from a psycho-sexual aspect. We help educate our patients on their anatomy and the functional aspects of her genitalia so that she may better understand her body. This in itself may provide solutions to some of these women’s problems. When a woman can understand what she has and how it should work, then she can understand more thoroughly what she needs and possible solutions to how she may be more fulfilled.
Psycho-Sexual Therapy for Trauma
Psycho-sexual disorders are found in many women suffering from FGM. Some of these disorders include:
- Lack of self confidence
- Feeling ashamed with partner
- Lack of sexual arousal or desire
- Feeling incomplete or not like other women
- Feeling uncomfortable with appearance of genitalia
- Lack of sensation and sexual satisfaction
- Anxiety & Post traumatic stress disorder
- Vaginismus & Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Most women will suffer from more than one disorder at the same time, and may resulting in altered Female Sexual Responce. It is essential to treat this aspect of her suffering and that is exactly what we do. We focus on our patient's psycho-sexual wellbeing, counseling and working with psychologists and sex therapists makes them feel more fulfilled. Every concern matters and we believe in restoring all aspects of a woman, not just her anatomy but her psychological and sexual well being as well.
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent problem, afflicting approximately 40% of women, it is more typical as women age or victims of FGM and is a progressive and widespread condition.
Common symptoms include diminished vaginal lubrication, pain and discomfort during intercourse, decreased desire, arousal and difficulty in achieving orgasm.
Female Sexual Response involves a complex interaction of physiology, emotions, experiences, lifestyle beliefs and relationships. Disruption of any component can affect sexual desire, arousal or satisfaction and treatment often involves more than one approach.
Sexual problems often develop when hormones are in flux, such as after child birth, menopause, or chronic illness, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, trauma as well as certain medications that can also contribute to sexual dysfunction.
Disorders
Sexual desire disorder: most common symptom, involves lack of sexual interest.Sexual arousal disorder: unable to become aroused and maintain it during sexual activity.Sexual orgasmic disorder: persistent difficulty in achieving orgasm after ongoing stimulation.Sexual pain disorder: pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact (Vaginismus - Vulvodynia)
Treatment
Treatment is directed to a holistic approaching FSD, reassurance and support are important factors, psych-sexual support, and sexual education are imperative, along with medication if necessary and other therapies. . Women suffering from FGM may not necessarily need surgery. In these cases we offer non -surgical therapies and the use of a combination of methods may be necessary to help restore sexual function. These modalities have been shown to be effective in treating many psycho-sexual disorders.
Consultation by appointment only
Tel: +20 1272259205
Email: restorefgm@gmail.com