SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND SEX THERAPY - AN HISTORICAL-PERSPECTIVE

Sexual dysfunction has been reported across cultures and across time. The Hindu literature and the Ayurvedic system offer insights into asse ssment and management of various kinds of sexual dysfunction. Behaviou ral regimes were fairly well known in the traditional Ayurvedic texts. Religious writings have often proved to be the richest source of info rmation about sexual behaviour The relationship between the nature of creation, the need for reproduction and the importance of sex in life has often been discussed in religions. Artificial sexual aids were wel l known in both ancient China and India. This paper attempts to draw a n historical analysis of varieties of sexual dysfunction across variou s societies. It also comments on the historical development of sex the rapy.