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It can be challenging to navigate sexual concerns on your own, but the Sexual Health Clinic at UW Health is here to help.
As Wisconsin’s only integrative sex therapy clinic, we specialize in treating individuals of all gender identities and couples with psychological or behavioral issues related to sex.
Uniquely located together with medical specialists who focus on treating the physical symptoms of pelvic organ conditions, our providers are able to collaborate and treat both the mental and physical aspects of sexual dysfunction in one convenient location.
Our expert team has experience treating a wide variety of sexual health issues, including:
Low desire
High desire
Female orgasmic disorder
Painful intercourse
Erectile dysfunction
Premature ejaculation
Relational issues related to sex
Our team includes licensed sex therapists and support staff who are specially trained to diagnose and treat sexual health issues using evidence-based therapy techniques and a sex positive approach.
Sex should be a source of pleasure, but sometimes it’s overshadowed by stress or physical complications. In our judgement-free space, you can feel safe to discuss your most sensitive concerns. Our goal is to empower you to experience sexual health that satisfies your needs and desires.
Ejaculation problems
Premature ejaculation: When people with male sex organs ejaculate earlier than desired. This can be a lifelong condition or a new experience. Also known as eager/early/rapid ejaculation or rapid/premature climax.
Delayed ejaculation: When people with male sex organs can’t ejaculate semen during sex or it takes much longer than desired (with or without orgasm). Also known as anorgasmia or impaired ejaculation.
Erectile disorder: When people with male sex organs cannot get or maintain an erection with a partner, alone or both. This can be a lifelong condition or sometimes develops later in life. Also known as impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED).
Female orgasm problems
People with female sex organs might experience difficulty reaching orgasm or might not be able to experience orgasm at all. This can be a lifelong condition or a new experience. Also known as female orgasmic disorder, anorgasmia or impaired orgasm.
Low desire/libido issues
Common issues include:
Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder: When people with male sex organs have low or no desire for sexual activity. It can be lifelong or a new experience. Also known as low libido.
Female sexual interest/arousal disorder: When people with female sex organs have low or no desire for sexual activity. Also known as low libido/desire.
Desire discrepancy: When partners have different levels of sexual desire, it can cause stress and conflict in the relationship.
Out-of-control sexual behavior
A patient-defined aspect of sexuality that evokes shame, rather than pleasure, and potentially results in relational consequences and disconnection. People may turn to pornography, masturbation, fetishes and sex work to satisfy high desire. The problem lies with the negative feelings and beliefs that accompany the behavior, rather than the behavior itself. Also known as sex addiction, porn addiction, hypersexuality and high libido.
Painful sex
When people with female sex organs experience persistent difficulty with vaginal penetration, vulvar or pelvic pain during penetration, it’s known as dyspareunia. It can be accompanied by fear or anxiety in anticipation of pain, and/or tensing of pelvic floor muscles in anticipation of penetration, a condition known as vaginismus. Patients may also develop an aversion to touch. Also known as genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, vulvodynia, vaginal pain or vulvar pain.
Kink
Kink is best described as consensual sexual activity that some would consider unconventional or unusual. Examples of kink include:
Fetishes: Can include persistent interests, fantasies or behaviors involving activities, objects and situations that evoke distress rather than pleasure. Patients with fetishes often seek therapy to address shame that impacts sexual satisfaction.
Bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism (BDSM): A practice in which a partner adopts a dominant role, while the other is more submissive. There are many different ways to practice BDSM, but all require communication and consent. Patients seeking therapy for BDSM might be interested in improving communication or be struggling in a relationship with a partner that does not share similar interests.
Polyamory/Open relationships
This lifestyle entails a non-exclusive relationship in which one or both partners have more than one romantic and/or sexual partner at a time. It requires a tremendous amount of communication to maintain healthy expectations and boundaries. It is not infidelity, as all partners have consented to this relational structure. Swinging is under the consensual non-monogamy (CNM) umbrella; however, “swingers” do not tend to maintain a relationship between gatherings. Sex therapy can help improve communication in these relationships. Also known as polyamory (or “poly”), swinging, open relationship, cuckoldry, casual sex or consensual non-monogamy (CNM).
Sex therapy can be very helpful for treating the psychological/behavioral aspects of sexual health issues.
What is sex therapy?
This specialized form of psychotherapy empowers patients through sex education, psychoeducation — providing education and information about mental health conditions — and behavioral interventions. It does not include sexual touch.
Collaboration is key for successful sex therapy. When needed, our sex therapists partner with urologists, gynecologists, urogynecologists, pelvic floor physical therapists and primary care providers to ensure you receive holistic care.
Sex therapists are licensed as counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists or social workers. Some are certified by the American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
What can patients expect in sex therapy?
Before your first appointment, you’ll be asked to complete questionnaires and other paperwork. During your first visit, your therapist will review your mental health history, clarify sexual health concerns, and discuss treatment goals and therapeutic recommendations. If needed, your therapist will refer you to other specialties.
During follow-up sessions, your therapist will help you work toward your goals using talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy and/or interpersonal psychotherapy approaches. Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes.
Most patients benefit from 6-12 sessions. Sessions are typically spaced every 2-4 weeks, depending on your needs.
Appointments are available virtually and in person at the Eastpark Medical Center.
You are welcome to bring partners to your appointment for support, education or relational therapy.
As a first step, it’s a good idea to connect with your primary care physician to rule out any physical conditions that could be causing sexual health concerns. However, even issues with a physical cause can have an impact on your emotional well-being, confidence and relationships. Our team of licensed sex therapists can help you work through those issues using evidence-based therapy techniques and a sex-positive approach.
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Appointments are available virtually and in person at Eastpark Medical Center.
To schedule an appointment, call (608) 282-8270.