2026 NEFESH Summer Online Conference
July 14-15, 2026 · Online Event
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Medical Causes of Sexual Dysfunction and Mood Disorders

Previously Recorded
Diana Flescher, MD
$34.99 USD

This session will review the medical conditions that may sometimes lead to or worsen depression and sexual dysfunction. Although it is not the therapist’s role to conduct a medical interview, it is important for every therapist to inquire about the general health of their client, to acquire a basic knowledge of common causes and to make certain that the client has a physician involved in their health care. This talk will address conditions that are often overlooked or underestimated as causes of mood changes and sexual dysfunction. Commonly used medications will be briefly reviewed. 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify at least three medical conditions and three commonly used medication categories that may contribute to or worsen sexual dysfunction or mood symptoms.
  2. Describe at least two ways that aging and reproductive-life-stage changes may affect sexual functioning in women and men.
  3. Apply a basic health-screening and referral framework to a clinical case by identifying relevant health questions and determining when medical consultation may be appropriate.

Agenda:

Introduction and the Therapist’s Role

5 minutes

  • Relationship between physical health, mood, and sexual functioning
  • The therapist’s role in recognizing possible medical contributors without diagnosing or conducting a medical examination
  • Importance of coordinating care with a qualified medical provider

Aging, Reproductive Changes, and Sexual Function

12 minutes

  • Effects of aging on sexual desire, arousal, comfort, and functioning
  • Sexual-health changes that may occur in women and men
  • Reproductive-life-stage considerations, including hormonal changes and menopause

Medical Conditions That May Affect Mood and Sexuality

18 minutes

  • Endocrine, neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and other health conditions
  • Medical concerns that may be overlooked as contributors to depression or sexual dysfunction
  • How physical illness, pain, fatigue, and changes in general health may affect emotional and relational wellbeing

Medication-Related Sexual and Mood Effects

10 minutes

  • Common medication categories that may affect sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, erectile functioning, or mood
  • Importance of medication review and consultation with the prescribing provider
  • Avoiding recommendations that fall outside the therapist’s professional scope

Clinical Screening and Medical Referral

10 minutes

  • General health questions that therapists may incorporate into assessment
  • Reviewing symptom onset, health changes, medications, and previous medical evaluation
  • Recognizing situations in which medical consultation or interdisciplinary collaboration may be appropriate

Clinical Integration and Review

5 minutes

  • Application of course concepts to a brief clinical example
  • Integrating medical, psychological, sexual, and relational considerations
  • Review of key clinical takeaways

This previously recorded self-study course offers 1.0 continuing education contact hour and does not qualify for live or live-interactive credit.

This workshop offers 1 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.