P-454 The effects of PLISSIT model based sexual counseling on sexual function and satisfaction in infertile couples
Authors: Şahin E , Güngör Satılmış İ 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Does a sexual counseling program based on the PLISSIT model improve the sexual function and satisfaction in infertile men and women?

Summary answer

PLISSIT model based sexual counseling for infertile couples with sexual dysfunction and low sexual satisfaction, positively affected the sexual function and satisfaction of the couples.

What is known already

Studies indicate that infertile couples experience more sexual problems than fertile couples due to the physical, psychological, and marital challenges of assisted reproductive technology treatments. Several sexual counseling models are recommended for discussing sexual problems with patients. PLISSIT model (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy) have been demonstrated to be effective in improving sexual function. However the effects of PLISSIT model has not been evaluated in infertile couples with sexual problems.

Study design, size, duration

This randomized-controlled study was conducted between August 2019 - February 2020 in a fertility clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul. With a pre-study screening, 60 infertile couples with sexual dysfunction (women with a total score of ≤ 26.55 on the Female Sexual Function Index-FSFI and men with a score of ≥ 11 on the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale-ASEX were included in the study. Participants were randomized for the counselling (30 couples) and control (30 couples) groups.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Couples in counselling group were interviewed in 6 sessions (first assessment, 3 counseling sessions one week apart, 1 phone call in the second month and last assessment in the third month), and couples in control group were interviewed in 3 sessions (first assessment - 1 phone call in the second month and last assessment in the third month). FSFI, ASEX, Beck Depression Inventory-BDI, New Sexual Satisfaction Inventory-NSSI, Fertility Problem Stress Scale-FPSS were used for evaluation.

Main results and the role of chance

BDI total mean scores of women and men in the first asessments were similar in the counselling and control groups. In the final evaluations of the groups, women who received sexual counseling had better total scale scores and sub-dimension scores of FSFI and NSSI than the control group, and the ISS total scale scores and sub-dimension scores of women were lower than the control group. In the final evaluations of men in counselling group, mean ASEX score was positively lower, the total scale and sub-dimension scores of the NSSI were higher and the ISS total scale and sub-dimension scores were lower than the control group.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The long-term results of sexual counseling were not followed and the long term intensive therapy phase could not be carried out in this study. Results are limited to primary infertile couples with sexual problems in the setting of this reserch.

Wider implications of the findings

In order to comprehensively evaluate couples while providing sexual education and counseling with a planned and systematic approach, using counselling models for sexual function such as the PLISSIT model is recommended.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials Protocol ID: 13022260-300-108795