Healthcare providers (HCPs) including gynecologists, urologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, doulas, and more have regular contact with women and their partners during the transition to parenthood. This book provides an overview of the relationship and sexual challenges faced by couples during this life passage; information on assessing and treating common sexual concerns; approaches to brief counseling; and guidelines for when to refer to a mental health professionals or sex therapist for more intensive help. The book is organized in three parts containing 11 chapters. The first part comprises five chapters. The first two chapters describe the journey to parenthood, and provide an overview of sexuality and sexual health. The next three chapters focus on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of women’s and men’s sexual problems. Part two comprises three chapters. Chapter six focuses on couples that make up the growing population facing problems of infertility. Chapter seven discusses sexuality and intimacy during pregnancy. Chapter eight covers the postpartum period. Part three comprises three chapters. Chapter nine deals with support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) parents. Chapter ten discusses sexuality counseling, which talks about types of interventions that every HCP or mental health provider can put into practice. The final chapter on intensive sex therapy covers topics that will be of interest to MHPs that have, or are interested in attaining, a broader perspective and training on human sexuality and relationships. The book is written for two audiences: HCPs and mental health providers and is strictly focused on the sexual and emotional intimacy of couples.
