London, Dec 24 : Sexual disorders can arise out of depression or diabetes, or give an early warning of serious illness such as heart disease.

These disorders necessitate an interdisciplinary approach, drawing both on medical and psychological techniques and insights.

Accordingly, Dirk R? sing, urologist at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University of Greifswaldand, Germany and coauthors use research on prostate cancer to underline the importance of a new development in German sex therapy, a 'couples' or 'syndiastic' therapy.

'Syndiastic' therapy, introduced in Germany in 2004, focussed explicitly on fundamental psychosocial needs, in a wider way, rather than purely on sexual function itself, said an Ernst-Moritz-Arndt release.

Derived from Aristotlean 'syndiastic,' meaning a disposition to "live in pairs" or "belonging," this approach differs from some other somatic or psychological treatments, aiming to broaden the understanding of sexuality and improving overall satisfaction within the relationship.

Questionnaires to men with prostate cancer show that while the importance of the genital aspects of sexuality decreased in importance following radical surgery, the relationship and physical intimacy remained as important as before.

These findings were published in Deutsches ?rzteblatt International. (IANS)