The SMSNA is proud to recognize its very own Dr. Rachel Rubin for her continued efforts in advocating for female sexual health care and research. This past month, Dr. Rubin was featured in both The New York Times and PBS News Hour to discuss her profession not only as a urologist, but also as a clitoris expert. When asked about the recent boost in exposure for the clitoris in mainstream media, Dr. Rubin stated, “It’s so exciting that female sexual medicine is getting some much-needed press.”
At the 23rd Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of SMSNA, an exciting new Peyronie’s disease (PD) self-assessment app was launched. The Peyronie’s Self-Assessment App is the result of a fruitful collaboration between the SMSNA and Endo International plc.
Dr. Bruno Nascimento discussed the evaluation of penile deformity in patients with Peyronie’s disease (PD) using 3D penile reconstruction imaging today at the ISSM/SMSNA Scientific Meeting on Sexual Medicine. He explained the feasibility and accuracy of 3D imaging as an assessment tool for PD, both of which were high according to a recent study of 4 PD patients undergoing penile surgery.
During the Surgery Abstracts session at the joint ISSM/SMSNA Scientific Meeting, Dr. Irwin Goldstein presented on an algorithm on the multidisciplinary step-care management and the outcomes of Tarlov cyst spine surgery for patients with persistent genital arousal disorder/genito-pelvic dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD). The management algorithm included the following steps:
Dr. Landon Trost and Dr. Wayne Hellstrom engaged in a lively sexual medicine debate on the use of penile traction therapy for treating Peyronie’s disease (PD) today at the 23rd Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of SMSNA/23rd ISSM Scientific Meeting.
Project SEXUS is a nationwide cohort study on sexual behavior and health in Denmark that launched in 2017. Dr. Christian Graugaard presented key findings from this study that shed light on the sexual landscapes of the general Danish population at the 23rd Annual Fall Scientific Meeting of SMSNA/23rd ISSM Scientific Meeting. Of note, 8 out of 10 respondents (and 9 out of 10 male respondents) indicated that a healthy sex life including masturbation was very important to them. However, just over half (55%) of the respondents rated their sex life as “good” or “very good.” These findings suggest that there could be a need for programs that enhance sexuality.
The pelvic floor is a hammock-like structure of muscles that holds the pelvic organs in place. Sometimes, these muscles can become too tight or too loose, which can contribute to sexual health problems. Fortunately, pelvic floor physical therapy can help.
Erectile dysfunction (ED), or the consistent inability to get or maintain an erection that is firm enough for satisfactory sex, is a medical condition that can affect both a man and his sexual partner. When there is a change in one partner’s sexual functioning, it is important for the couple to acknowledge the change and communicate openly about how they would like to move forward. To do this, it is helpful for the two individuals to be on the same page.
Ejaculatory disorders such as premature ejaculation (PE) and delayed ejaculation (DE) are often embarrassing and distressing concerns for patients and their sexual partners. Although less than 5% of men experience an ejaculatory disorder by the clinical definition, (i.e., an ejaculation latency time of less than two minutes for PE), more than 30% of men report experiencing PE. These men may feel that they have little to no control over when they ejaculate and find that they do so sooner than they wish to during sexual activity.
The SMSNA is proud to announce the 2022 Research Scholars award through the Urology Care Foundation and the AUA sponsored by the SMSNA!
Historically, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has not been recommended for men with prostate cancer due to concerns about the testosterone potentially causing the cancer to grow or recur. As such, many health care providers aim to keep prostate cancer patients’ testosterone levels low, (at times even employing androgen deprivation therapy), which can have undesirable side effects such as decreased energy, reduced sex drive, muscle loss, loss of bone density, and erectile dysfunction (ED).
Priapism is a condition that results in a prolonged penile erection that lasts for hours after sexual activity or is not related to sexual stimulation. In 2021, the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) collaborated with the American Urological Association (AUA) to update the clinical guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of acute ischemic priapism.
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Your vagina is a pretty powerful organ. It is a pathway for menstrual blood and babies. It also is a main player in sexual intercourse. You might hear about your vagina’s pH and worry that yours is at risk. Here’s what to know about vaginal pH, including the impacts sex could have.
