ISSWSH Signs on to Joint Statement on Legislative Interference

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  Created: Friday, 08 July 2022

Initiated by ACOG and the AMA, this joint statement was signed by ISSWSH and 74 other organizations.

As the U.S. health care system enters a post-Roe era, we, representing dozens of major organizations of health care professionals, oppose all legislative interference in the patient–clinician relationship. Our patients need to be able to access—and our clinicians need to be able to provide—the evidence-based care that is right for them, including abortion, without arbitrary limitations, without threats, and without harm.

The wave of abortion bans going into effect in states across the country will harm patients, impair the integrity of the medical profession, and have a devastating and unquantifiable impact on the patients and clinicians it affects. People in at least half the states will now face a cruel choice between traveling hundreds of miles to receive abortion care (which is simply impossible for those who lack the resources, means, and opportunity) or being forced to continue with a pregnancy that may threaten their health, well-being, and future.

Read full statement HERE

ISSWSH supports WAS Declaration

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  Created: Friday, 01 July 2022

The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) remains committed to affirming and supporting the sexual rights of all people worldwide, in accordance with the World Association for Sexual Health Declaration of Sexual Rights. As an international society, we support the WAS Declaration in its totality as it addresses sociopolitical and cultural issues related to sexual health in the various situations that may exist in different countries across the globe.

More specifically, the recent US Supreme Court ruling that overturned the legal decision on Roe v Wade in 1973 violates multiple rights that are included in the WAS Declaration including the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to autonomy and bodily integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to privacy, the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including sexual health, with the possibility of pleasurable, satisfying and safe experiences, the right to information, and the right to decide whether to have children, the number and spacing of children, and to have information and the means to do so.

As a professional medical and scientific society, we further oppose government interference in the physician-patient relationship and any criminalization of clinicians for providing quality patient care. Sexuality is a fundamental human right and therefore the ISSWSH supports the rights of people to make their own decisions about their bodies, to have access to safe reproductive healthcare services without discrimination, harassment, or violence, and to be able to maintain both dignity and well-being. This violation of the rights of people, in particular of marginalized populations, must not be tolerated.

AUA is seeking nominations for guideline panel on GSM

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  Created: Thursday, 23 June 2022

The AUA is seeking nominations to populate an upcoming guideline panel on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. The AUA advocates for a diverse and inclusive environment within the association, as well as the global urology community; as such, all interested individuals are invited to apply. In an effort to create a multidisciplinary panel, applicants from multiple specialties are welcome to submit an application for this opportunity. The deadline to apply is July 8, 2022.

To apply, please visit: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines or complete and return the Nomination Form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Live Stream Available for 2022 Annual Meeting

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  Created: Thursday, 10 February 2022

ISSWSH is excited about the upcoming in-person meeting in Dallas, TX, March 3-6, 2022. We truly value the in-person experience of our meetings where professionals can network, discuss, debate, and share with each other, in addition to learning from our presenting experts. It is also an opportunity to talk with our sponsors and bring back important resources that will be useful in your practices. In addition, we are excited to be able to greet you in person and make this a valuable and memorable meeting for all!

Read more: Live Stream Available for 2022 Annual Meeting

JSM’s Best Women’s Sexual Health Paper 2021

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  Created: Wednesday, 01 December 2021

The Journal of Sexual Medicine as recently named the following as the Best Women’s Sexual Health Paper of 2021:

Read more: JSM’s Best Women’s Sexual Health Paper 2021

Message from the ISSWSH Executive Committee Regarding 2022 Annual Meeting

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  Created: Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Read more: Message from the ISSWSH Executive Committee...

ISSWSH Statement on Non-Prescription Supplements for Female Libido

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  Created: Saturday, 23 October 2021

CLAIMS MADE ABOUT NON-PRESCRIPTION SUPPLEMENTS FOR FEMALE LIBIDO OFTEN LACK PROVEN BENEFIT

The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) consists of leading academics, researchers, clinicians and educators in female sexuality.  We are concerned over frequent, unsubstantiated claims made about many over-the-counter (OTC) products marketed to women for sexual enhancement. ISSWSH is committed to the highest standards of scientific research and medical care of women’s sexual health, and as such, we are not only concerned about the lack of proven benefit from such supplements, but also the potential harm to individuals who choose to take these products.

Read more: ISSWSH Statement on Non-Prescription Supplements...

Call for Nominations - ISSWSH Board of Directors

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  Created: Wednesday, 01 September 2021

ISSWSH is now accepting nominations for the open board positions noted in this email. Terms for these positions will begin March 1, 2022.

Read more: Call for Nominations - ISSWSH Board of Directors

2022 ISSWSH Research Grants - Open for Applications

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  Created: Wednesday, 18 August 2021

Submit your application today for the 2022 ISSWSH Research Grants! This grant program offers young investigators interested in research in women’s sexual health the opportunity to obtain funding from ISSWSH to support their research.

Eligibilty:

• Undergraduate, graduate, or medical student; resident in a graduate medical education training program; or a post-doctoral/post-residency fellow during the award term (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023.
• Applicant's mentor must be an ISSWSH member.

Applications are due no later than October 31, 2021. Visit the ISSWSH grants page for more information and to apply online!

Seeking Volunteers - ISSWSH History Committee

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  Created: Thursday, 01 July 2021

Consider joining the Ad Hoc ISSWSH History Committee!

Read more: Seeking Volunteers - ISSWSH History Committee

NVA Invites Vulvodynia Research Proposals

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  Created: Tuesday, 29 June 2021

The National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) is requesting research proposals on (i) potential causes of vulvodynia and (ii) promising treatments for vulvodynia. Grant amounts range from $30,000 to $50,000. If you choose to submit a treatment study, we encourage you to collaborate with a clinical researcher at another institution to facilitate enrollment. Grants for treatment studies are typically close to $50,000, but we can increase that amount for multi-site studies. 

Read more: NVA Invites Vulvodynia Research Proposals

ISSM “Ask The Experts” - Call for Proposals

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  Created: Tuesday, 08 June 2021

The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) is launching a new initiative called the “Ask the Experts” program. These virtual sessions will allow attendees to hear from and converse with expert thought and opinion leaders and innovators in the field of Sexual Medicine and Sexual Health. Limited registration for these sessions will allow for intimate and informal conversation.

Read more: ISSM “Ask The Experts” - Call for Proposals

Passing of friend and colleague, Dr. Ariel Gustavo Scafuri

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  Created: Friday, 02 April 2021

Ariel Gustavo Scafuri, MD, PhD, FACS, FECSM, IF, board-certified urologist and obstetrician-gynecologist and a full Professor of Anatomy at Federal University of Ceará, Medical School, Ceará, Brazil passed away due to complications from COVID-19.

Dr. Scafuri was recently elected Director-at-Large on ISSWSH’s Board of Directors and served on ISSWSH’s Membership Outreach, Online Services, and Education Committees. Dr. Scafuri, as a member of the Brazilian Society for the Study of Sexual Medicine and Health (ABEMSS), served on the Female Sexual Dysfunction Committee, and he served on the Communications Committee of ISSM and Social Media and Membership Committees of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. His enthusiasm was absolutely contagious, and he will be greatly missed by all.

On behalf of ISSWSH, we want to express to his family, friends, and colleagues around the world, our deepest sadness at his tragic loss. Ariel touched many people and we are all better for having known him. His impact in the field of sexual health and medicine was significant, and for that we are so very grateful for his life and service.
As information becomes available, we will share this with the ISSWSH Community.

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Systemic Testosterone for HSDD published

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  Created: Friday, 02 April 2021

ISSWSH publishes Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Systemic Testosterone for HSDD, an in-depth, detailed evidence-based, peer-reviewed international guideline on how healthcare professionals should administer testosterone to postmenopausal women.

Read more: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of...

JSM Looking for Social Media Team Candidates

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  Created: Tuesday, 23 March 2021

The Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM) is seeking new members for its social media team. We are specifically looking for members with expertise in transgender medicine, female sexual health, sexual pain, paraphilias, basic science, and testosterone therapy. The position entails promoting JSM publications on social media platforms and comes with a position on the JSM editorial board.

The criteria for such a person include:
1. High level of activity on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, specifically)
2. Competency in the English language
3. Expertise in one of the above areas as demonstrated by fellowship training or a publication track record.
4. Works well on a team.

Please send your interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by April 8, 2021 and all names will be submitted directly to JSM.

Congratulations to These ISSWSH Award Recipients!

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  Created: Sunday, 07 March 2021

A big congratulations to all of the award recipients announced during the 2021 ISSWSH Virtual Annual Meeting.

Read more: Congratulations to These ISSWSH Award Recipients!

ISSWSH PGAD/GPD Consensus Published

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  Created: Sunday, 07 March 2021

ISSWSH is thrilled to announce our latest manuscript on the management of Persistent Genital Arousal/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia. PGAD is a terrible condition of unwanted, unremitting sensations of genital arousal that is associated with a significant, negative psychosocial impact, which may include emotional lability, catastrophization, and suicidal ideation. Despite being first reported in 2001, PGAD remains poorly understood. This is the first consensus paper focusing exclusively on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and nomenclature of PGAD that also gives a detailed algorithm on how to approach diagnosis and treatment. Visit our Publications page for a link to read the full paper through open access.

Read more: ISSWSH PGAD/GPD Consensus Published

Participate in the March 4 HPV Awareness Day Social Media Campaign

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  Created: Thursday, 25 February 2021

March 4 is HPV Awareness Day and it takes us all to raise awareness! Please help by participating in a social media photo campaign on March 4. Post a photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram of yourself with one or more people you care about along with the message “It takes people like me and people like you. It takes EVERYONE to beat #HPV, the #virus that causes #cancer. www.askabouthpv.org.” Be sure you tag those pictured with you! 

March 6 Interactive Networking Sessions

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  Created: Tuesday, 23 February 2021

Tune in after the annual meeting program on March 6, 2021 at 6:30 pm EST for Interactive Networking Session by Region, hosted by the ISSWSH membership committees. There are four different sessions to join, divided by region:

Western US
Moderated by:
Erin Gross
Rachel Gelman
Heather Howard

Central US
Moderated by:
Corey Babb
Julie Jones
Sally MacPhedran

Eastern US
Moderated by:
MeLanie Modjoros
Roberta Renzelli
Aleece Fosnight

International
Moderated by:
Barry Komisaruk
Heather Quaile

Use the links above to RSVP and save your spot!
*ISSWSH Annual Meeting 2021 registration is not required to attend these Interactive Networking Sessions.

ISSWSH Election Voting is Open!

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  Created: Tuesday, 09 February 2021

Dear ISSWSH Members,

On behalf of the ISSWSH Nominating Committee, we invite you to vote!

Read more: ISSWSH Election Voting is Open!

Physician Interview Study (Queen's University)

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  Created: Wednesday, 03 February 2021

Rearchers at Queen's University in Canada are looking to conduct their Physician Interview Study again this year. They are looking to interview any physician that performs cervical conization/LEEP or mid-urethral sling procedures. To participate in this study, please reach out to Olivia Giovannetti & Diane Tomalty (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Early Registration Deadline - ISSWSH 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting

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  Created: Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Don’t wait to register! Register before February 1 to receive the early registration rate for the ISSWSH 2021 Annual Meeting. Fees increase on February 1.

Visit our meeting site to register online.

Join us March 5-7 for the virtual ISSWSH Annual Meeting!

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  Created: Friday, 18 December 2020

New Nomination Policy – Call for Nominations

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  Created: Wednesday, 18 November 2020

ISSWSH has adopted a new Nomination Policy which will be implemented immediately! This policy allows for an open “Call for Nominations” for any open position and includes both self-nomination and nomination of another person. Nominees will be vetted by the Nomination Committee to ensure that they have met the qualifications for the position in which they are nominated (see policy). Qualified candidates for each position will be then put forward on a ballot for election by the membership.

Read more: New Nomination Policy – Call for Nominations

ISSWSH 2021 Annual Meeting Will be Virtual!

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  Created: Monday, 19 October 2020

The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH) would like to announce the decision to move its Annual Meeting, scheduled in March in Dallas, to a Virtual Annual Meeting in 2021! This will truly be an “International” meeting with our Scientific Meeting Chair, Dr. Linda Vignozzi (Italy) and Co-Chair, Dr. Paul Yong (Canada) who have put together an incredible program with invited speakers from Australia, Canada, Italy, Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. It will also include perspectives from across disciplines including clinical scientists, neuroscientists, obstetricians/gynecologists, physical therapists, psychologists, researchers, sexologists, sexual medicine professionals, sex therapists, urologists, and others passionate about the sexual health of women. Organizing this as a virtual meeting eliminates the barriers of travel and expense by allowing everyone to connect to and learn from a global network of sexual health professionals from the comfort of their own home or workplace!

Comprised of symposia, state of the art lectures, and the latest in research through dynamic abstract presentations, the program will take a look at the role of inflammation in arousal dysfunction and chronic pain; managing disorders of orgasm; and sexual medicine care and cultural sensitivity. Other topics explored include stress, sex and reproductive hormones, sex and food, pelvic pain, and surrogate partner therapy.

Stay tuned for more details on the dates and times for the 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting and join us for this meeting, which will certainly showcase the I (International) in ISSWSH!