Frotteurism Sexual Disorder

Frotteurism Information

The term frotteurism derives from the French verb frotter meaning 'to rub'. Men have a paraphilia called Frotteurism when the focus of their sexual urges are related to the touching or rubbing of their body against a non-consenting, unfamiliar woman. The most commonly practiced form of frotteurism is rubbing one's genitals against the victim's thighs or buttocks. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

The primary focus of frotteurism is touching or rubbing one's genitals against the clothing or body of a nonconsenting person. Frotteurism usually begins in adolescence and the abnormal behavior tends to decrease when the man reaches his late twenties.

Causes of Frotteurism

There is no scientific consensus concerning the cause of frotteurism. Most experts attribute the behavior to an initially random or accidental touching of another's genitals that the person finds sexually exciting. Successive repetitions of the act tend to reinforce and perpetuate the behavior.

Symptoms of Frotteurism

• Repeatedly for at least 6 months, the patient has intense sexual desires, fantasies or behaviors that involve touching and rubbing against a person who doesn't consent to this behavior.
• Recurrent, intense, or arousing sexual urges or fantasies, that involve touching and rubbing against a nonconsenting person.
• The person has acted on these sexual urges or fantasies, or they cause the person significant distress, to a degree they are disruptive to everyday functioning.
• This causes clinically important distress or impairs work, social or personal functioning.

Frotteurism Treatment and Medication

Treatment typically involves psychotherapy aimed at uncovering and working through the underlying cause of the behavior. Behavior therapy is commonly used to try to treat frotteurism. The frotteur must learn to control the impulse to touch nonconsenting victims. Medroxyprogesterone, a female hormone, is sometimes prescribed to decrease sexual desire.

Women's Health