Sexology as a challenge to the health care system: the Norwegian version

Medical doctors and psychologist represent the largest groups of professionals working with sexological problems in Norway, with one third each. The last third consists of different health and educational professionals. Forty-three percent reported that they have undergone some training programs in sexology. This is the lowest educational level in all the countries surveyed in the context of the "Euro-Sexo" study. Seventy-one percent declared that they have had individual supervision and 49% had group supervision in sexology. 93.2% are in clinical practice, but for most of them, this is a minor part of their professional activity. Seventy-one percent reported that sexological activity represents less than 25% of their professional time. Gender differences are minor. Three percent work with sexology full time, all of these are women, and none are medical doctors. Not surprisingly, problems with orgasm (42.95) and sexual desire (60.7%) are among the most frequent problems presented among female clients, while erectile dysfunction (47.3%) is the most frequent problem among male clients. Emotional problems in the couple relationship is among the most frequent problem reported, 35% among male and 63% among female clients. The respondents also reported problems related to sexual violence or abuse, 18.1% among male and 42.9% among female clients. Thirty percent reported genital pain among their female clients. Sexological problems represent a substantial area of the clinical work for many therapists. Medical doctors represent an important part of the therapeutic field, while sexology is a less than a minor part of medical education, both pre and post graduate. Psychotherapy was reported as the most frequent treatment used by sexologists

Treatment of Traumatised Sexuality

Based on therapeutic meetings with individuals who have experienced sexual violence and abuse, the challenge is how do we help these couples to establish sexual relationships on their own terms, without interference of defence or coping strategies they have used to protect themselves against the overwhelming experiences of violence or abuse in the past? This article will focus on therapeutic work with such couples and how to interact with them and support their efforts to establish satisfying sexual relationships, based on sexological experience as well as experience from work with traumatisation. The basis for our treatment is a modified version of William Masters and Virginia Johnson’s approach. The technique of sensate focus is central, modified by trauma theory, including the understanding of dissociation, and the need to integrate memories from different levels: somatic, emotional, and cognitive. The traumatised client needs special attention to the experiences of predictability and safety and respect due to their history of being transgressed against. The therapists must be aware of the issue of dissociation; different dissociated inner parts can play different roles in the interaction between client and therapist. While couples therapy is a necessary frame for this therapy, the therapist often needs to work with issues unique to each individual. Each partner must be able to identify their own responses and their own sexual needs and preferences. It may therefore be valuable to have a co-therapist. The central goal is for the clients to identify responses to stimulation as a here and now experience in a setting that feels safe and welcome.publishedVersio

Rapport fra Arbeidsgruppen mot mobbing og trakassering i UH-sektoren (UHRMOT)

Universitets- og høgskolerådet (UHR) opprettet i februar 2018 en arbeidsgruppe som skulle bidra til å samordne UH-institusjonenes innsats for å kartlegge, forebygge og sikre gode systemer for varsling og oppfølging av mobbing, trakassering og seksuell trakassering for ansatte og studenter.Rapport fra Arbeidsgruppen mot mobbing og trakassering i UH-sektoren (UHRMOT)publishedVersio

The partitioning of Sb in contaminated soils after being immobilization by Fe-based amendments is more dynamic compared to Pb

Soils and sediments from shooting ranges can be heavily contaminated with metals and metalloids that can leach significant concentrations into the environment. To prevent trace element leaching, contaminated soils must be stabilized prior to deposition. Here, we present a geochemical study on the lability of Sb (oxyanion) and Pb (cation) in heavily contaminated shooting range soil after amendment with a Fe-rich slag in combination with either FeSO4 or an acidic contaminated organic soil. The treatment effect on leaching potential and chemical lability with time was tested in a column leaching experiment and by a diffusive gradient in thin film technology (DGT) experiment, respectively. Both treatments substantially reduced the Sb and Pb leaching, but the slag&FeSO4 was most effective. The DGT-lability of the slag&organic-soil treatment caused a 78% and 93% reduction in SbDGT and PbDGT, respectively. The slag&FeSO4 reduced the SbDGT and PbDGT by 90% and 98.5%, respectively. Application of slag&FeSO4 to the contaminated soil, increasingly immobilized Pb as time prevailed, leaving only an insignificant fraction geochemically labile. Antimony was comparably more labile with time. This outcome indicates that although the Sb leaching was effectively reduced, the Sb sorption to the amendments is weaker and that the sorbed Sb may remain geochemically labile beyond a few weeks of contact with the Fe-rich sla

The partitioning of Sb in contaminated soils after being immobilization by Fe-based amendments is more dynamic compared to Pb

Soils and sediments from shooting ranges can be heavily contaminated with metals and metalloids that can leach significant concentrations into the environment. To prevent trace element leaching, contaminated soils must be stabilized prior to deposition. Here, we present a geochemical study on the lability of Sb (oxyanion) and Pb (cation) in heavily contaminated shooting range soil after amendment with a Fe-rich slag in combination with either FeSO4 or an acidic contaminated organic soil. The treatment effect on leaching potential and chemical lability with time was tested in a column leaching experiment and by a diffusive gradient in thin film technology (DGT) experiment, respectively. Both treatments substantially reduced the Sb and Pb leaching, but the slag&FeSO4 was most effective. The DGT-lability of the slag&organic-soil treatment caused a 78% and 93% reduction in SbDGT and PbDGT, respectively. The slag&FeSO4 reduced the SbDGT and PbDGT by 90% and 98.5%, respectively. Application of slag&FeSO4 to the contaminated soil, increasingly immobilized Pb as time prevailed, leaving only an insignificant fraction geochemically labile. Antimony was comparably more labile with time. This outcome indicates that although the Sb leaching was effectively reduced, the Sb sorption to the amendments is weaker and that the sorbed Sb may remain geochemically labile beyond a few weeks of contact with the Fe-rich sla

Treatment of Traumatised Sexuality

Based on therapeutic meetings with individuals who have experienced sexual violence and abuse, the challenge is how do we help these couples to establish sexual relationships on their own terms, without interference of defence or coping strategies they have used to protect themselves against the overwhelming experiences of violence or abuse in the past? This article will focus on therapeutic work with such couples and how to interact with them and support their efforts to establish satisfying sexual relationships, based on sexological experience as well as experience from work with traumatisation. The basis for our treatment is a modified version of William Masters and Virginia Johnson’s approach. The technique of sensate focus is central, modified by trauma theory, including the understanding of dissociation, and the need to integrate memories from different levels: somatic, emotional, and cognitive. The traumatised client needs special attention to the experiences of predictability and safety and respect due to their history of being transgressed against. The therapists must be aware of the issue of dissociation; different dissociated inner parts can play different roles in the interaction between client and therapist. While couples therapy is a necessary frame for this therapy, the therapist often needs to work with issues unique to each individual. Each partner must be able to identify their own responses and their own sexual needs and preferences. It may therefore be valuable to have a co-therapist. The central goal is for the clients to identify responses to stimulation as a here and now experience in a setting that feels safe and welcome

The multiple roles of sexological organisations

The research question behind this article is to analyse how missions and goals for sexological organisations on various levels are described and how they can complement each other. The missions and goals of global (WAS), regional (EFS), and national organisations in Europe are described and analysed by their statutes and bylaws. The results show that organisations on all levels are occupied with sexual health and rights, sexuality education, professional education, and standards of ethics. In addition, there seems to be a division of work between the various levels of organisations: Global organisations: Network of regional federations, sexual health promotion within international organisations such as the WHO and the UN, organising congresses for presenting new research and activist work (within non-governmental organisations-NGOs) and influencing national governments. Regional organisations: Network of national organisations, harmonisation of educational programmes, organisation of regional congresses for presenting new research and new treatment methods, development of projects between different countries. National organisations: Recruitment of members, education, supervision, professional support and development, organising national conferences and meetings, influencing politicians and health & education planners.publishedVersionPaid Open Acces

The multiple roles of sexological organisations

The research question behind this article is to analyse how missions and goals for sexological organisations on various levels are described and how they can complement each other. The missions and goals of global (WAS), regional (EFS), and national organisations in Europe are described and analysed by their statutes and bylaws. The results show that organisations on all levels are occupied with sexual health and rights, sexuality education, professional education, and standards of ethics. In addition, there seems to be a division of work between the various levels of organisations: Global organisations: Network of regional federations, sexual health promotion within international organisations such as the WHO and the UN, organising congresses for presenting new research and activist work (within non-governmental organisations-NGOs) and influencing national governments. Regional organisations: Network of national organisations, harmonisation of educational programmes, organisation of regional congresses for presenting new research and new treatment methods, development of projects between different countries. National organisations: Recruitment of members, education, supervision, professional support and development, organising national conferences and meetings, influencing politicians and health & education planners

Gender Identity Orientation and Sexual Activity—A Survey among Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) Individuals in Norway

Background: The understanding and conceptualizing of gender and sexuality are continuously negotiated between individuals and cultures. Recently, new gender identity orientations have emerged, fighting pathologization and establishing new spaces and options for being sexually active gendered beings. Objective: To investigate variations in sexual activities across different gender identity orientations. Method: A questionnaire used in France was adapted to the Norwegian context and implemented in this study. The participants were recruited through therapists, TGD organizations, and social media. Results: A total of 538 individuals responded to the questionnaire, of which 336 provided a written description of their gender identity. Based on an analysis of the degree of male gender identity orientation, the degree of female gender identity orientation, and the degree of nonbinary gender identity orientation, three clusters appeared and were used in the analyses of sexual activities and preferences. Conclusions: Some findings could be attributed to lingering aspects of traditional gender roles, while others may be indicative of sexual expression stemming from societal acceptance of gender diversity and new identity orientations

The effects of sexual therapy interventions for sexual problems

publishedVersio