NVA is seeking research proposals on developing novel medical treatments for generalized vulvodynia or vestibulodynia.
NVA research grants usually range from $40,000 to $80,000 with a maximum of $100,000. Although we acknowledge the usefulness of CBT and mindfulness in coping with chronic pain, we are not funding psychosocial proposals at this time.
The following clinical guideline has been endorsed by The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and The Menopause Society (TMS), of which Drs. Rachel Rubin and Irwin Goldstein were part of the review panel.
A newly released clinical guideline provides healthcare providers with essential tools for diagnosing and treating Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), a condition affecting many women during menopause. GSM includes symptoms such as vaginal dryness, urinary issues, and sexual dysfunction, caused by declining estrogen and androgen levels.
The guideline addresses the challenge of distinguishing GSM from other common conditions like overactive bladder (OAB), which shares similar symptoms. With no universal consensus on the specific criteria for diagnosis, the guideline encourages a patient-centered approach, emphasizing shared decision-making between clinicians and patients.
Treatment options include both hormone-based therapies, like local estrogen, and non-hormonal alternatives, such as vaginal moisturizers. Clinicians are urged to personalize treatment based on individual patient needs and preferences, while ensuring equitable access to care for underserved populations.
The ultimate goal is to improve quality of life and symptom control for women experiencing GSM, while minimizing the risk of adverse events. This new guideline aims to provide clarity and better management of GSM for both patients and healthcare providers. Learn more.
Applications due by April 30th for December 13th online Exam
Are you a medical practitioner who has completed residency/training in a medical specialty and you have completed training in Sexual Medicine and can acquire two letters of recommendation from a recognized sexual medicine expert or key opinion leader of sexual medicine (must be member of ESSM or an affiliate of ISSM), then you can apply for this exam. After this first step there are many opportunities to prepare for the exam through ESSM training courses and other online material.
As this is not currently available in many other places, those outside Europe may also want to consider taking this exam through their affiliation with ISSWSH. Many more details are available online through the Multidisciplinary Joint Committee on Sexual Medicine (MJCSM). Learn More
ISSWSH is partnering with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) for an upcoming virtual event scheduled to take place on August 16th. This event will focus on the critical topic of menopause. During this comprehensive course, participants will have the opportunity to discuss and characterize hormonal treatments, distinguishing between systemic and local applications and understanding their various prescriptions. Additionally, the webinar will cover the differences between bioidentical and non-bioidentical hormones, providing valuable insights into their unique properties and uses. This event promises to be an enriching experience for all attendees, offering in-depth knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of menopause management. ISSWSH and NPWH members save up to $145 on the registration fee. For more information visit the NPWH website here to register!
The American Urological Association held its annual meeting recently in San Antonio, TX. ISSWSH was well-represented with many of our urology members presenting. The Sexual Medicine Society of North America kicked off its one day meeting with an interesting session on FSD, featuring Irwin Goldstein, Rachel Rubin, Alyssa Yee and Jessica Yih, moderated by Sue Goldstein. While there were only a few podium presentations on women’s sexual health, there was a course on FSD and a course on GSM, both of which promoted ISSWSH and included ISSWSH members as faculty, and two other courses that touched briefly on sexual health concerns of women--all in all, a win for our society and our field. Most importantly there was a lot of conversation among ISSWSH members and with some ISSWSH sponsors attending the conference. The AUA has been supporting FSD content for nearly two decades.
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First-Ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, An Effort Led by First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council
The new initiative will fundamentally change how we approach and fund women’s health research.
Research on women’s health has been underfunded for decades, and many conditions that mostly or only affect women, or affect women differently, have received little to no attention. That’s why we’re announcing the launch of the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. If we act swiftly, we can pioneer the next generation of discoveries in women’s health – improving the lives of millions of women. The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research will galvanize the Federal government as well as the private and philanthropic sectors to spur innovation, unleash transformative investment to close research gaps, and improve women’s health.
We have a clear goal: to fundamentally change how we approach and fund women’s health research.
First-Ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research, An Effort Led by First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council
Read Full Statement HERE
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden on a Press Call Announcing White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research
Read Full Statement HERE
We believe in our organization and believe that ISSWSH can be a key participant in The White House Initiative for Women's Health Research.
The ISSWSH Advocacy Committee along with the Board of Directors (with 195 signatures from our members) has written a letter to Dr. Mazure and the White House Initiative on Women’s Sexual Health to prioritize and allocate substantial funding towards research in women's sexual health, sexual dysfunction, and sexual pain.
See how ISSWSH is making a difference, read our letter HERE
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The new initiative will fundamentally change how we approach and fund women’s health research.
Despite making up more than half of the population, women have been understudied and underrepresented in health research for far too long. Research on women’s health is drastically underfunded, leading to significant research gaps, with serious consequences for the health of women across the country. This lack of investment limits our understanding of conditions that are specific to women, predominantly affect women, or affect women differently. In order to give women and their health care providers the tools and information that they need to more effectively prevent, diagnose, and treat these conditions – from rheumatoid arthritis to menopause to Alzheimer’s disease to cardiovascular disease to endometriosis – our nation must fundamentally change how we approach and fund women’s health research.
If we act swiftly, we can pioneer the next generation of discoveries in women’s health – improving the lives of millions of women. That’s why, today, President Biden is establishing a new White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. This new effort will be led by First Lady Jill Biden, who has long championed women’s health, and the White House Gender Policy Council. The Initiative will be chaired by Dr. Carolyn Mazure, an esteemed leader in the field of women’s health research, who will coordinate the Initiative on behalf of the Office of the First Lady and the Gender Policy Council.
Read full statement HERE