Contemporary Sexuality - September 2008 - (Page 7)

cent heterosexual. I know it makes for difficult reading/editorial structuring to make each sentence applicable to gay, straight and bisexual couples. But it would be a pity if its language alienates some men who would benefit by reading it. Men’s Sexual Health is arranged in such a way that it’s a wonderfully helpful reference book, with discrete chapters reviewing the authors’ view of healthy, “Good-Enough Sexuality,” normal sexual development, differences between male and female sexuality, aging and dealing with sexual and health problems. It also has resources for finding professional help and an excellent index. Because of its structure, if you read it straight through as a professional, it can feel repetitious. But if you imagine reading it as an anxious layman who has a sexual concern or problem (e.g. “Is masturbation sinful?” … “ Is my penis big enough?” … “Should I use Viagra for erectile dysfunction?”) the benefits of its structure are clear. Questions are answered, issues are tackled, research is reviewed, statistics, and helpful exercises, diagrams, charts and graphs abound. In addition, the authors’ model of “Good-Enough Sex” — when relevant — is applied to each problem. Men’s Sexual Health is destined to be a classic. Reviewed by Aline Zoldbrod, PhD, a psychologist and author. She can be reached at dralinez@hotmail.com. ——— The Guidebook of Sexual Medicine By Waguih William IsHak. A&W Publishing, 2008. $29.95. IsHak’s Guidebook of Sexual Medicine provides an introduction to the history of sexual medicine, an overview of the sexual response cycle and the biopsychosocial approach, and a summary of organic, pharmacological and psychological etiologies and treatments for the sexual dysfunctions identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Also included are chapters on alternative medicine and women’s sexual health issues. Appendices include a summary of sex survey findings, online screening measures and guidelines for psychiatric diagnosis of DSM sexual dysfunctions. Other than the first two chapters and the last two chapters, the book fairly closely follows the DSM categories of sexual dysfunctions. The chapters on dysfunctions are consistent in content, covering definitions, epidemiology, etiSeptember 2008 Vol. 42, No. 9 | www.aasect.org ologies, pathophysiology and treatment approaches. Biological and psychosocial factors are addressed both in etiology and treatment. While the chapter on biopsychosocial approaches provides a nice overview of biological, psychological and pharmacological etiWaguih William IsHak ologies and outlines various treatment options, using the DSM for the structure actually limits the extent to which psychological and medical aspects of sexual concerns can truly be integrated. The DSM model is based on a step-wise progression of sexual response, focuses on physical responses at the expense of subjective satisfaction, and separates physical, pharmacological and psychological etiologies, ignoring the complex interplay among these factors. Those familiar with recent concerns about the DSM model, especially as it relates to women’s sexual response and satisfaction, may be disappointed, although Laura Berman’s chapter addresses some of the complexities of women’s sexuality. However, I know from my own teaching that it is difficult to fully explore the complexity of sexuality without abandoning or at least questioning the DSM, and given that this is the accepted paradigm, any introduction to sexual concerns is constricted by it. The author struggles with this bind, and does a reasonable job of emphasizing the importance of considering all aspects of sexuality. There are some limitations to this publication, possibly necessitated by its brevity and focus on basic concepts. It fails to consider the impact of diverse sexual expression, including same-sex orientation, and does not adequately address the impact of cultural and societal issues on sexuality and sexual concerns. Nor is the impact of chronic illness and disability on sexual expression sufficiently explored. While these weaknesses may stand out for me because of my own clinical work, all clinicians must be sensitive to these issues, develop familiarity and comfort with these issues, and develop appropriate ways to evaluate and address them. In sum, this book is a brief overview written at an introductory level and will appeal primarily to those with a medical background who are new to the field of sexual health. They will appreciate the organization and simplicity of the material on sexual dysfunctions, and will be introduced to the idea of considering more than just physical aspects of sexuality. continued on page 8 The DSM model is based on a step-wise progression of sexual response, focuses on physical responses at the expense of subjective satisfaction, and separates physical, pharmacological and psychological etiologies, ignoring the complex interplay among these factors. — Bill Finger Contemporary Sexuality 7 http://www.aasect.org

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Contemporary Sexuality - September 2008 Contents The Myth of Teen Promiscuity Member Spotlight Book Reviews News of Members Quick Hits: Sex in the News Reflections on AASECT's Annual Meeting

Contemporary Sexuality - September 2008

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