Non‐consummation of marriage treated by members of the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine: a prospective study

Abstract

A prospective study of the treatment of unconsummated marriage was carried out by 16 doctors trained by the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine. This training stresses the development of skills in using the doctor/patient interaction therapeutically, rather than in the acquisition of knowledge. The 159 couples admitted to the study had a mean duration of symptoms of 4.2 years; 60% of them had consummated by 6 months and 72% by 24 months. Other improvements in sexual function occurred even among those failing to consummate; 135 couples had previously consulted 253 other agents. The average cumulative length of treatment at the 6-month review was 3 h. Partners attending alone did as well as couples who attended together.