KARACHI, July 9: Highlighting the role of trained family physicians in the healing of psychological and emotional problems that induced sexual problems mainly in young couples, an expert from a foreign university at a symposium here on Monday said that a professional and trustworthy environment was essential to overcoming such problems.

The interactive symposium attended by doctors and medical students was organised by the scientific committee of the Pakistan Medical Association in collaboration with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan.

The gynaecologist at Queens University Belfast, the UK, Dr Salman Kidwai, spoke on “psychosexual issues in men and women — a hidden agenda” and held that the problems were common in young couples all over the world, but they were treatable mainly with the involvement of trained family physicians.

A majority of patients with psychosexual issues visiting family physicians initially had no idea about the management of their problem as they mostly remained hesitant to share their thoughts and conditions, the doctor said.

He said that there was a need to ensure acknowledgement of such patients and free flow of information between them and physicians, who should listen to their patients very carefully.

“Some patients visit gynaecologists and psychiatrists and are usually mismanaged by them,” he said and added that most family physicians were not trained enough to deal with patients with psychosexual problems.

He said that it was also a matter of concern that most gynaecologists and psychiatrists also ignored the real problem in most cases.

“Since the field is not widely recognised in Pakistan, a majority of patients with psychosexual issues goes to quacks, shrines or faith healers for the management of their problems, with very unhappy consequences.

“Such patients do come with vague complains, but a physician is required to listen to them [men and women equally] with extreme sensitivity. Doctors must understand the signals and encourage a patient to tell the exact story. Sometimes it is important to talk to the couple separately and counselling is the most important aspect of a psychosexual therapy,” the doctor added.

He pointed out that all psychosexual abnormalities were treatable and after a proper management a patient could enjoy a normal life.