ORGASM CONSISTENCY TRAINING IN THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN REPORTING HYPOACTIVE SEXUAL DESIRE - AN OUTCOME COMPARISON OF WOMEN-ONLY GROUPS AND COUPLES-ONLY GROUPS

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and maintenance of two group interventions using orgasm consistency training in the treatment of f emale hypoactive sexual desire, 57 women were randomly assigned to a w omen-only group, a couples-only group, or a waiting list control group . Controlling for social desirability, subjects were assessed on six v ariables: sexual compatibility, sexual esteem, sexual desire, sexual f antasy, sexual assertiveness, and sexual satisfaction. Independent ass essments were made on these variables before treatment, after treatmen t, and at 6 months follow-up. Although the treatment was found to be g enerally effective in women reporting hypoactive sexual desire, a cons istent pattern of change favoring the couples-only group was evident o n all measures. Possible explanations for the superiority of couples-o nly interventions are explored in the discussion.