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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.
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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...
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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.
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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!
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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
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.).
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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.
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Created: Friday, 18 December 2020
Scientific Chair, Linda Vignozzi, MD (
Italy) and Co-Chair, Paul Yong, MD, PhD, FRCSC (
Canada) have assembled speakers from
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the US to present a global perspective on a broad range of topics including:
- Arousal dysfunction and chronic pain
- Disorders of orgasm
- Sexual medicine care and cultural sensitivity
- Stress, sex and reproductive hormones
- Sex and food
- COVID, sex, and the internet
- Surrogate partner therapy
- And more!
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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
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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!
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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
