INTRODUCTION: Sexual health is the result of a complex interplay between social, relational, intrapsychic, and medical aspects. Sexual health care professionals (SHCP) may face several ethical issues. Some SHCP prescribe Internet pornography for both diagnosis and therapy and some others directly sell vibrators and sex aids in their offices. METHODS: Five scientists, with different perspectives, debate the ethical aspects in the clinical practice of the SHCP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To give to the Journal of Sexual Medicine's reader enough data to form her/his own opinion on an important ethical topic. RESULTS: Expert #1, who is Controversy's Section Editor, together with two coworkers, expert psycho-sexologists, reviews data from literature regarding the use of the Internet in the SHCP. Expert #2 argues that licensed professionals, who treat sexual problems, should not sell sexual aids such as vibrators, lubricants, erotica, and instructional DVDs to their clients. On the other hand, Expert #3 is in favor of the possibility, for the patient, to directly purchase sexual aids from the SHCP in order to avoid embarrassment, confusion, and non-adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: Evidence and intelligence would suggest that both the Internet (in selected subjects) and the vibrators (in the correct clinical setting), with the due efforts in counseling the patients and tailoring their therapy, are not-harmful, excellent tools in promoting sexual health.
INTRODUCTION: Sexual health is the result of a complex interplay between social, relational, intrapsychic, and medical aspects. Sexual health care professionals (SHCP) may face several ethical issues. Some SHCP prescribe Internet pornography for both diagnosis and therapy and some others directly sell vibrators and sex aids in their offices. METHODS: Five scientists, with different perspectives, debate the ethical aspects in the clinical practice of the SHCP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To give to the Journal of Sexual Medicine's reader enough data to form her/his own opinion on an important ethical topic. RESULTS: Expert #1, who is Controversy's Section Editor, together with two coworkers, expert psycho-sexologists, reviews data from literature regarding the use of the Internet in the SHCP. Expert #2 argues that licensed professionals, who treat sexual problems, should not sell sexual aids such as vibrators, lubricants, erotica, and instructional DVDs to their clients. On the other hand, Expert #3 is in favor of the possibility, for the patient, to directly purchase sexual aids from the SHCP in order to avoid embarrassment, confusion, and non-adherence to treatment. CONCLUSION: Evidence and intelligence would suggest that both the Internet (in selected subjects) and the vibrators (in the correct clinical setting), with the due efforts in counseling the patients and tailoring their therapy, are not-harmful, excellent tools in promoting sexual health.
Authors: Daniele Mollaioli; Stefania Di Sante; Erika Limoncin; Giacomo Ciocca; Giovanni Luca Gravina; Elisa Maseroli; Egidia Fanni; Linda Vignozzi; Mario Maggi; Andrea Lenzi; Emmanuele A Jannini Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-08-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Andrea Sansone; Angelo Cignarelli; Giacomo Ciocca; Carlotta Pozza; Francesco Giorgino; Francesco Romanelli; Emmanuele A Jannini Journal: Sex Med Date: 2019-08-05 Impact factor: 2.491