In Memorium – Gina Ogden (1935-2018)

Gina Ogden – feminist, teacher, scholar, mother, grandmother, lover, and lifelong Red Sox fan – has died at age 83.

Gina was a pioneer in the field of sexology and a tireless advocate for everyone’s right to sexual well-being. She wrote 13 books and published countless articles, conducted retreats and trainings internationally, lectured widely, and even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. One of her more significant contributions was founding both the 4-Dimensional Wheel approach to therapy and sex therapy and the community that supports its teaching and growth, the 4-D Network. This approach takes into consideration not only the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of a person’s well-being, but also the spiritual. Beloved by her colleagues, she was awarded the highest honors from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists this past June—the Distinguished Service to AASECT Award. Her website, www.GinaOgden.com, is still up and active.

View full obituary here.

ICD-11 Includes New Chapter on Conditions Related to Sexual Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the official publication of a new version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) which includes a new chapter on Conditions Related to Sexual Health, bringing together conditions that were previously categorized in other ways and mostly under mental disorders.

ICD-11 marks the culmination of a ten-year process which benefited from many contributions by and comments from professional societies and patient advocacy organizations, including ISSWSH.

Changes in the ICD-11 embody a more integrated approach to sexual health. This reorganization reflects the WHO’s definition of sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity”

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Management of GSM in Women with a High Risk for Cancer: Consensus Recommendation

ISSWSH in collaboration with the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is publishing consensus recommendations for the management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women with or at high risk for breast cancer. The consensus recommendations will assist healthcare providers in managing GSM with a goal of improving the care and quality of life for these women. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is more prevalent in survivors of breast cancer, is commonly undiagnosed and untreated, and may have early onset because of cancer treatments or risk-reducing strategies.

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