Talking about sex: The PLISSIT model
| Permission: Give patient permission to speak about sexual health and validate her sexual choices and preferences (eg, legitimize her decision to participate in sexual activity on her own terms). |
| Limited information: Provide basic sex education regarding anatomy, physiology, and normal sexual response; offer educational resources (eg, literature, videos, and erotica). |
| Specific suggestions: Provide concrete suggestions to improve/enhance sexual function (eg, lubricant, vibrator or dilator use, self-stimulation, technical advice about sexual positioning, ways to increase emotional intimacy and communication). |
| Intensive therapy: Validate patient’s sexual health concerns and refer to specialist (eg, individual, couples, or sex therapy). |
PLISSIT = Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, and Intensive Therapy
Based on information in Annon JS. The PLISSIT model: a proposed conceptual scheme for the behavioral treatment of sexual problems. J Sex Educ Ther 1976; 2:1–15; Kingsberg S. Hypoactive sexual desire in women. Menopause 2013; 20:1284–1300; Faubion S. Sexual dysfunction in women: a practical approach. Am Fam Physician 2015; 92:281–288.