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Created: Monday, 27 July 2020
New ISSWSH Virtual Course: Fundamentals in Women's Sexual Health
As part of the ISSWSH Virtual Course: Fundamentals in Women’s Sexual Health we will be showcasing a series of 20-minute TED Talk style lectures. The goal is to inspire and educate those practicing in or wishing to practice in women’s sexual health.
What are we looking for in a speaker?
Authentic, dynamic speakers, and members of ISSWSH, with a desire to inspire and empower others. A great talk is typically one that is evidence based, simple, clear, original, and relevant.
What are we NOT looking for in a speaker?
A speaker that is self-promoting and/or reading from a slide deck. If you are including science, as a professional medical society, we will be looking for accurate, evidence-based information, so No Bad Science.
To submit a proposal please provide the following:
- CV
- Brief description of your proposed talk and what you hope to achieve by giving the talk
- 30-second to 1-minute video showcasing your talk (If selected these may also be used to promote the Course)
The submission due date is August 2nd! Submit via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Course Speaker Submission"
The ISSWSH Virtual Course: Fundamentals in Women’s Sexual Health will be held on three consecutive Friday’s, November 6, 13, and 20. Though the final program is not yet finalized, we have tentatively scheduled these talks to be given on Friday, November 20.
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Created: Wednesday, 08 July 2020
Mentees of ISSWSH members can now submit their applications for the 2021 ISSWSH Scholars in Women’s Sexual Health Research Grant Program. Application deadline is December 4, 2020, and the maximum award amount is $7,500. Additional information and link to submit can be found here: https://www.isswsh.org/grants
Please contact the ISSWSH Executive Office if you have any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Created: Friday, 05 June 2020
As a multidisciplinary, professional society dedicated to women’s sexual health, The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) has recognized from its inception the need to counteract bias, prejudice, and inequality. Founded for the purpose of scholarly discourse, professional education and ethical standards, and dissemination of accurate information about women’s sexual health to the public, ISSWSH and its members have worked to advance the discussion and dispel myths about women’s sexuality, necessarily crossing over into cultural and societal issues such as gender equality and sexual violence. Thus, ISSWSH recognizes that socio-political issues can become intertwined with public health, ultimately impacting individuals. Continue reading full statement.
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Created: Monday, 11 May 2020
The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) promotes safe sex, but that may mean something completely different during the COVID-19 pandemic. In alignment with our purpose, to provide the public with accurate information about women's sexuality and sexual health, ISSWSH has released a Position Statement to compliment statements put out by other sexual medicine societies, namely the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM).
Read ISSWSH's Position Statement highlighting what is currently understood about the transmission of this virus, as well as the current strategies being encouraged as it relates to sexual activity.
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Created: Thursday, 30 April 2020
Noel N. Kim, PhD, IF and President of ISSWSH releases letter to all members. Dr. Kim highlights how we are all being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, upcoming education opportunities and publications, prioritzing research in women's sexual health, and how we can all stay connected, even while spatial distancing. To read the full letter click here.
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Created: Wednesday, 15 April 2020
ISSWSH depends on its members to volunteer their time and expertise to carry out the mission of ISSWSH, and to promote and advance the field of Women’s Sexual Health. If you are looking for a new opportunity to become involved within ISSWSH and to contribute to the field of Women’s Sexual Health, serving on a committee is your chance! We are accepting applications for openings on the following committees:
Read more: Call for ISSWSH Committee Volunteers
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Created: Tuesday, 31 March 2020
The ISSWSH Scholars in Women’s Sexual Health Research Grant Program offers young investigators interested in research in women's sexual health the opportunity to obtain funding from ISSWSH to support their research. Please join us in recognizing the 2020 recipients.
Read more: Congratulations 2020 ISSWSH Research Grant...
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Created: Monday, 23 March 2020
ISSWSH has decided to cancel the ISSWSH Sexual Pain Course scheduled for April 17-18, 2020 in Washington D.C. in direct response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which is now identified as a pandemic. ISSWSH is concerned for the health and safety of our faculty and attendees and recognizes that there are an increasing number of academic institutions restricting travel which affects people’s ability to attend. For more information on this cancellation and any questions you may have, please visit: https://www.isswshcourse.org/spring2020/covid-19/cancellation
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Created: Friday, 20 March 2020
At the 2020 Annual Business Meeting, ISSWSH welcomed Dr. Noel N. Kim, PhD, IF, Senior Investigator at the Institute for Sexual Medicine in San Diego and associate editor of Sexual Medicine Reviews (SMR), as its new president for a two-year term 2020-2022. He previously served as the Assistant Director of the Laboratory for Sexual Medicine Research at the Boston University School of Medicine and was a member of the editorial board of The Journal of Sexual Medicine for the first decade of the journal through 2014. From 2007, Dr. Kim served for 5 years as Chief Scientific Officer of Alagin Research, a biotechnology company devoted to developing therapeutics and diagnostics in sexual medicine. Dr. Kim continues to serve as a consultant to other companies developing therapies for sexual dysfunction. Dr. Kim most recently served as the society’s President-Elect, and Treasurer before that.
Read more: ISSWSH Welcomes New President – Dr. Noel N. Kim
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Created: Tuesday, 05 November 2019
ISSWSH is pleased to provide the following updates related to therapies for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder or HSDD. The FDA has updated prescribing information for flibanserin, removed the REMS certification requirement for prescribers and pharmacists, and updated safety information related to the alcohol contraindication. In addition, bremelanotide has now been approved for treatment of HSDD. Please see the attached news release related to these two therapies for more specific information and references.
News Release
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Created: Saturday, 11 May 2019
A recently published health report on HSDD treatments was poorly researched, contained elements of bias, and perpetuated inaccuracies about the condition.
We, the Executive Committee of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (www.isswsh.org) write this response to an article published on May 8, 2019 on CNN Health entitled “Drug Campaign Touts 'Female Viagra' in the Name of Equality” by Rachel Bluth of Kaiser Health News (https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/08/health/women-libido-addyi-partner/index.html). As a scientific and medical society dedicated to supporting research, education, and clinical care for women’s sexual health, ISSWSH encourages informed discussion on disease states impacting sexual health. We also understand that there may be valid critiques of how some pharmaceutical companies conduct their marketing campaigns. Nevertheless, we found the article in question to be poorly researched and especially biased.
Read more: ISSWSH Executive Committee responds to CNN...
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Created: Tuesday, 07 May 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the loss of one of our sexual medicine colleagues, Marcel Waldinger, on May 1. Dr. Waldinger was a long time member of ISSWSH, most recently serving on the consensus panel for Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD). His landmark work in this area, caring for patients and examining the retaionship between PGAD and Restless Leg Syndrome will be included in the consensus document from this panel. Thus his work will continue posthumously. Dr. Waldinger will also be remembered for his work in the area of premature ejaculation, helping to develop the content of measuring intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) used in premature ejaculation clinical trials. He was passionate about his work and about helping his patients, working cooperatively to further knowledge in the field.
Read more: In Memoriam - Marcel D. Waldinger, MD, PhD
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Created: Thursday, 18 April 2019
Sexual problems are common in women of all ages. Despite their frequency and impact, female sexual dysfunctions (FSDs) are often unrecognized and untreated in clinical settings. This POC describes core and advanced competencies in FSD for clinicians who are not sexual medicine specialists and serve as caregivers of women and, therefore, is useful for clinicians with any level of competence in sexual medicine. The goal of the POC is to provide guidance to clinicians regarding screening, education, management, and referral for women with sexual problems.
Read more: Mayo Clinic Proceedings Publishes ISSWSH's...
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Created: Friday, 05 April 2019
ISSWSH CME Forum at the ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Who, What, When, Where and Why?
Join us on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 6:15 - 7:45 am in Room 101 BC - Music City Center in Nashville, TN to learn how to diagnose and treat women with HSDD. Breakfast will be available.
Read more: ISSWSH CME Forum at ACOG
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Created: Tuesday, 05 March 2019
Descriptors of Vulvodynia: A Multisocietal Definition Consensus (International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, the International Society for the Study of Women Sexual Health, and the International Pelvic Pain Society)
Read more: Take a look at works recently published by ISSWSH
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Created: Friday, 18 January 2019
The field of women’s sexual health has lost another crusader. Fernand Labrie, born in Laurierville, Quebec on June 28, 1937 and one of the greatest scientists in Canada’s history, died on Wednesday of an infection at age 81.
Read more: In Memoriam - Fernand Labrie, MD, PhD (1937-2019)
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Created: Friday, 16 November 2018
Gina Ogden – feminist, teacher, scholar, mother, grandmother, lover, and lifelong Red Sox fan – has died at age 83.
Read more: In Memoriam – Gina Ogden (1935-2018)
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Created: Thursday, 26 July 2018
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.
Read more: ICD-11 Includes New Chapter on Conditions...
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Created: Friday, 18 May 2018
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.
Read more: Management of GSM in Women with a High Risk for...
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Created: Thursday, 10 May 2018
ISSWSH is pleased to announce and recognize the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) clarification of the statutory intent of “Prescription Drug Benefits” section 1860D-2(e)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, stating that drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) due to menopause, are not excluded from Medicare Part D coverage when used consistent with this labeling.
Read more: DYSPAREUNIA: CMS CLARIFICATION RESULTS IN...
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Created: Monday, 12 March 2018
The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) is pleased to announce the publication of its Process of Care for Management of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in Women in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. This milestone publication is the first to provide a consensus clinical management algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of HSDD.
Read more: ISSWSH PUBLICATION ON PROCESS OF CARE FOR HSDD...
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Created: Friday, 02 March 2018
This Sunday, March 4th the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) will be joining forces with around 80 organizations worldwide to commemorate the 1st annual International HPV Awareness Day. The goal of the day is to spark conversation and promote a worldwide exchange of ideas, knowledge, and research materials about human papillomaviruses (HPV) and their associated diseases.
Read more: Sunday, March 4th, Marks the 1st Annual...
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Created: Monday, 12 February 2018
ISSWSH welcomes Dr. James A. Simon, M.D., Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington D.C., as its new President.
Read more: ISSWSH Welcomes New President - Dr. James A. Simon
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Created: Monday, 08 May 2017
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: international society for the study of women’s sexual health (ISSWSH) expert consensus panel review, authored by ISSWSH members Irwin Goldstein, Noel Kim, Anita Clayton, Leonard DeRogatis, Annamaria Giraldi, Sharon Parish, Jim Pfaus, and James Simon, has been recommended in F1000Prime as being of special significance in its field.
F1000 provides a rapidly updated consensus map of the important articles and trends across biology and medicine through the opinions and perspectives of over 10,000 peer-nominated international experts, the F1000 Faculty.
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Created: Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Studies suggest that the benefits of short-term treatment to control menopausal symptoms outweigh the risks - as long as it is started at or near menopause.
Read more
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Created: Friday, 22 April 2016
ISSM is pleased to announce that 15 Travel Stipends will be provided to attendees of the 2016 World Meeting on Sexual Medicine being held in Beijing, China, September 2016.
Complete details on the stipends and an application can be found here: www.issm.info/grants1/travel-stipends-2016
Furthermore, ISSM will be providing 10 Scholarships to the ESSM School of Sexual Medicine taking place in Budapest, Hungary, October 2016.
Complete details on the Scholarships and an application can be found here: www.issm.info/grants1/issm-scholarships
Read more: ISSM announces available Travel Stipends and...
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Created: Monday, 29 February 2016
PRESS RELEASE
Reference Articles:
Efficacy and Safety of Flibanserin for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Women A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Loes Jaspers; Frederik Feys; Wichor M. Bramer; Oscar H. Franco; Peter Leusink; Ellen T. M. Laan; JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.8565, Published online February 29, 2016.
and the accompanying editorial
US Food and Drug Administration Approval of Flibanserin, Even the Score Does Not Add Up, Steven Woloshin; Lisa M. Schwartz; JAMA Internal Medicine Published online February 29, 2016.
Download PDF
- Press Release
- Bullet Points Reference Article
- Bullet Points Accompanying Editorial
February 29, 2016 - Science has been corrupted by bias and personal agendas resulting in publication of a distorted analysis of outcomes of research trials. As authorities in the area of sexual function and dysfunction in women, in particular hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)1 is concerned that the aforementioned articles would be accepted by and published as quality science and factual commentary. According to Levine, the diverse controversies involving treatments for sexual difficulties have resulted in stakeholders interpreting science for us in ways that support their political ideological views, economic interests, or skill sets.2 This is clearly the case with regard to both the Jaspers et al. article and subsequent editorial response. We wish to set the record straight. When articles that reflect opinion rather than science are published in scientific journals, they harm those meant to be aided by science and medicine resulting, in this case, in a great disservice to the millions of pre-menopausal women suffering from HSDD.
Read more: ISSWSH Press Release
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Created: Tuesday, 29 March 2016
In 2015, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) , and International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) adopted a new vulvar pain and vulvodynia terminology that acknowledges the complexity of the clinical presentation and pathophysiology involved in vulvar pain and vulvodynia, and incorporates new information derived from evidence-based studies conducted since the last terminology published in 2003. The article “2015 ISSVD, ISSWSH and IPPS Consensus Terminology and Classification of Persistent Vulvar Pain and Vulvodynia.” has been published simultaneously in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Diseases and Obstetrics & Gynecology and will be published soon in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Please click here for link to article in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Please click here for full text article in Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease.
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Created: Tuesday, 24 November 2015
We're excited to announce the availability of our full and detailed scientific program for the upcoming Annual Meeting to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, from February 25 to 28, 2016. For full details please visit http://www.isswshmeeting.org today. While you're there, please don't forget to register! See you in Charleston
