Sexual dysfunction in gay men requesting treatment.

Until recent years, homosexuality was considered to be a psychiatric disorder and no attention was given to treating same-sex sexually dysfunctional partners--either male or female. This study reports on the treatment of approximately 500 sexually dysfunctional gay men by 10 Southern California psychotherapists over a five-year period. Six aspects of sexual dysfunction in gay males are explored: the psychotherapeutic process; characteristics of men reporting homosexual dysfunction; type and incidence of dysfunction; etiology of dysfunction; treatment and recidivism; and duration and impact of dysfunction. The literature in this area is also reviewed.