Obstacles of sexual satisfaction in couples: a qualitative study

Sexual functioning is an important part of the marital life. Sexual satisfaction has strong relationship with general marital satisfaction and most of marital problems and divorces cused with sexual dissatisfaction. The objective of this qualitative study was to examination obstacle of sexual satisfaction in couples. This research used qualitative study and content analysis method. 33 married people and psychologists of counseling center of Ardebil through purposely-selected sampling method were selected. Participants interviewed with depth semistructured interviews. Interwiews were taped and analysis of the transcripts was guided by qualitative content analysis. Four main categories of obstacles of sexual satisfaction were found. Lack of sexual education courses, Sexual dysfunction, mental and physical diseases, incorrect religious beliefs and cultural factors categories were emerged. Lack of sexual education courses was an important category in sexual dissatisfaction. Lack of enough information about sexual response process, mental disorder and physical problems, sexual disorder, cultural and religious factor caused sexual dissatisfaction. Sexual skills education with focus to remove of these barriers would increase their sexual satisfaction.