Historical revolutions in sex therapy: a critical examination of men's sexual dysfunctions and their treatment.

History, recent and ancient, presents innumerable methods intended to ensure or restore male sexual performance. Although these methods have regularly claimed to be "revolutionary," they have often been remarkably similar, and of questionably efficacy. This article provides a critical account of key historical trends in the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions in order to contextualize and critique the current treatment field. The author uses historical analysis to contextualize contemporary sex therapy techniques, arguing that even clinically verified contemporary revolutions, such as the advent of Viagra and similar drugs, may not present broadly efficacious standalone cures. Using critical historical analysis to illustrate the limitations of single-method treatments, the article argues for the value of comprehensive, biopsychosocial therapy methods. A common tendency--to seek a 'magic bullet' solution to sexual dysfunctions--is apparent throughout history, the author argues. While Viagra differs biomedically from historical treatments, it may appeal to the same logic, raising the question of whether it constitutes a truly revolutionary development in treatment. The article concludes with a set of recommendations regarding the implementation of biopsychosocial practice in sex therapy.

A history of sexual medicine in the United kingdom.

The history of sexual medicine in the United Kingdom since the 19th century is reviewed, with particular reference to masturbation, homosexuality, contraception, and in the past four decades, the treatment of sexual dysfunction. The medical profession's tendency to deal with sexual issues according to the sociopolitical and moral issues of the time is emphasized, and whereas "sex negativism" has prevailed within the medical profession for most of this historical period, there has been a succession of individuals within the profession who have presented a more positive approach to defining and promoting sexual health. Four tracks within sexual medicine over the past 30 years are described: the psychoanalytic approach of the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine, modern "sex therapy," psychophysiological sex research, and the involvement of andrology in the assessment and treatment of erectile dysfunction. The impact of Viagra is seen as the most recent chapter in this history.

Two pills, two paths: a tale of gender bias.

In Japan, it took over 30 years to register the contraceptive Pill, but it took only six months to approve Viagra. The Pill was developed in an academic institution and no large pharmaceutical manufacturer wished to market it. Viagra was developed inside a big company and actively promoted. In the USA, the Pill was almost removed from the market because of widely publicized reports of deaths, but mortalities associated with Viagra do not make the headlines. Viagra has been promoted by the famous, whilst those who use the Pill do not appear in advertisements. Even theologians have treated these two drugs according to different standards. It is suggested that this asymmetry is not accidental, but is an expression of a deep-seated dual standard that is ultimately driven by biosocial differences in male and female power, and reproductive agendas rooted in human evolution.

Professor Bamford's research in the field of biomaterials.

Professor Bamford was regarded by many as the greatest British polymer chemist of the twentieth century and when Bam passed away in November 1999 tribute was quite rightly made to his considerable achievements in the field of polymer science. The aim of this paper is to highlight Bam's contribution to biomaterials research that occupied his attention for over 15 years after his official retirement. In particular a review of the synthetic methods employed by Bam for the modification of polymers to improve haemocompatibility and to function as affinity separation membranes for protein purification is presented.