Treatment of Low Sexual Desire or Frequency Using a Sexual Enhancement Group Couples Therapy Approach.

BACKGROUND: Sexual desire or frequency problems are exceedingly common, but treatment of them has been less than effective. AIM: The goal of this study was to develop a cost-effective, accessible intervention to deal with sexual desire or frequency problems, including sexual desire discrepancy, by enhancing the quality of couples' erotic intimacy. METHODS: 45 couples (38 heterosexual and 7 same-sex couples) distressed by sexual desire or frequency problems were seen in a 16-hour, group couples therapy intervention. Participants completed the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS) at pretest, posttest, and at 6-month follow-up. OUTCOMES: The NSSS plus 3 additional items at pretest, posttest, and at 6-month follow-up and patients' written feedback. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between pre-tests and post-tests in satisfaction with intensity of sexual arousal; creativity; frequency; sexual functioning; partner's sexual availability; partner's initiation of sexual activity; emotional opening up during sex; positive sexual reactions to the partner; communication of sexual wishes, preferences and desires; and balance between giving and receiving during sex. The largest improvement and effect sizes were found in overall satisfaction with one's sex life from pre-test to post-test and 6-month follow-up. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Low sexual desire or frequency problems can be treated effectively by enhancing the quality of the couple's erotic connection, thereby creating desirable sex. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The strengths include the combination of quantitative and qualitative data. Limitations included the small number of same-sex couples. CONCLUSION: Sexual enhancement group couples therapy provides an effective, accessible, and affordable approach to low desire or frequency complaints in distressed couples. Kleinplatz PJ, Charest M, Paradis N, et al. Treatment of Low Sexual Desire or Frequency Using a Sexual Enhancement Group Couples Therapy Approach. J Sex Med 2020;17:1288-1296.

From Sexual Desire Discrepancies to Desirable Sex: Creating the Optimal Connection.

Beginning in 2005, our team conducted a series of studies on optimal sexual experiences. We have applied our findings to develop a group therapy intervention for couples presenting with low sexual desire/frequency and sexual desire discrepancy. The goal was to improve the quality of erotic intimacy by focusing on such elements as being fully embodied during sex, increasing authenticity, trustworthiness, and vulnerability. Twenty-eight heterosexual individuals (14 couples) were seen in 16 hours of couples group therapy. Each completed the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale in pretests, posttests and six-month follow-ups. Significant differences in satisfaction (p <.001) were found in overall sample means from pretests to posttests and follow-ups. Significant differences were also found in 10 of 20 items, plus in two of three added items, including satisfaction with intensity of sexual arousal, variety, frequency, partner's initiation, and emotional opening up. Although this is a small sample, the results indicate that this intervention is effective. We interpret these findings in terms of creating just enough safety to enable couples to take erotic risks and thereby create desirable sexual intimacy.

Spray-Drying to Get Spin-Crossover Materials.

Spin-crossover (SCO) triazole-based coordination polymers can be synthesized by micelle techniques, which almost always lead to rod-shaped nanoparticles. In order to notably reach new morphologies, we explore here the potentiality of the spray-drying (SD) method to get SCO materials. Three SCO coordination polymers and a mononuclear complex are investigated. In all cases, the SD method obtains particles definitely showing SCO. The features of the latter are yet always different from those of the referenced materials, in the sense that SCO is more gradual and incomplete, in adequacy with the poor crystallinity of the powders obtained by SD. In the case of coordination polymers, the particles are preferentially spherical. Indications of possible polymorphism and/or new materials induced by the use of the SD method are evidenced. In the case of the mononuclear complex, the SD method has allowed reproducing, in a quick and easy way, the well-known bulk compound. This exploratory work demonstrates the relevance of the concept and opens the way to a systematic scrutiny of all the experimental parameters to tune the size, morphology, and properties of the SD-synthesized SCO particles.

Crown-linked dipyridylamino-triazine ligands and their spin-crossover iron(II) derivatives: magnetism, photomagnetism and cooperativity.

The syntheses, crystallography and magnetic properties of a series of compounds of formula trans-[Fe(II)(L(1))2(NCX)2] (X = S, Se, BH3 (1-3)), cis-[Fe(II)(L(2))(NCX)2]·CH2Cl2 (X = S, Se, BH3 (4-6)) and trans-[Fe(II)(L(3))(NCX)2]n (X = S, Se (7-8)) are described (L(1) = 6-chloro-N(2),N(2)-diethyl-N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, L(2) = 6,6'-(1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane-7,16-diyl)bis(N(2),N(2)-diethyl-N(4),N(4)-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine, L(3) = 6,6'-(1,4,10,13-tetraoxa-7,16-diazacyclooctadecane-7,16-diyl)bis(N(2),N(2),N(4),N(4)-tetra(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine)). The magnetostructural properties of 1-8 have been probed in detail by variable temperature magnetic measurements and crystallographic methods. 1-6 display mononuclear structures while 7 and 8 form 1-D chain structures. Complexes 4-6 have the potential to form 1D-chains via L(2) bridging, but instead form mononuclear complexes. Magnetic studies show that complexes 1, 2, and 4 remain in the high-spin (HS) state at all temperatures. An aged, dry, powdered sample of 3 gives an abrupt HS to LS transition (T1/2 = 200 K), while a freshly prepared, powdered sample of 3·1.5H2O displays thermal hysteresis (Δ = 7 K). Complexes 5, 6 and 7 undergo a gradual spin transition with T1/2 values of 100 K, 150 K and 130 K, respectively. Cooperativity parameters are compared, with 3 showing cooperativity (positive C) and 5 and 6 showing anticooperativity. Photomagnetic LIESST (light induced excited spin state trapping) studies were performed on complexes 5 and 6 and reveal T(LIESST) values lower than 60 K. An attempt has been made to understand the electronic structure of complex 3 and its cooperativity behaviour using density functional methods, the calculations reproducing the sign and, in part, the magnitude of the cooperativity.