At the first day of the 26th Annual Fall Scientific Meeting, Dr. Jessica Schardein discussed penile disorders in male non-cancer patients through a biopsychosocial lens, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between clinicians and mental health professionals.

Depression, anxiety, and relationship conflicts may be primary or secondary contributors to erectile dysfunction, and can affect treatment outcomes for multiple disorders. Dr. Schardein emphasizes that approaches targeting both the mind and body may increase the likelihood of treatment success, combining medication and sexual health-specific therapy.

Diagnostic guildelines often include direction for reffering patients to mental health professionals based on the level of distress the patient is experiencing due to erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, or other conditions. However, Dr. Schardein recommends that all patients with sexual dysfunction are referred to a mental health professional, as this may help reduce distress and support better treatment adherence.

While there is a benefit to discussing treatment in therapy, Dr. Schardein emphasizes four main points to remember: recognize loss, give space for grief, identify strengths, and help patients reframe negative thinking.

At the first day of the 26th SMSNA Annual Fall Scientific Meeting, Dr. Aaron Miller briefly discussed the implications of biofilms on implantable medical devices.

Dr. Miller's research discovered that the origin of infectious biofilms was found to come from the host, as the subcutaneous tissue's biofilm was identical to the device's biofilm. This points to an obstacle in infection prevention: the influence of the patient's microbiome.

Comparing device materials, Dr. Miller found that bacterial count was influenced by the device manufacturer and the material used, with titanium offering the lowest risk of bacterial growth. Antibiotic use increased the abundance of known pathogens, leading to an increased risk of infection. Moving away from broad-spectrum antibiotics and creating patient-specific combinations may be useful in the future.

With further research and development, Dr. Miller believes the introduction of new materials and quorum-sensing inhibitors may be beneficial in reducing the risk of infections with implantable medical devices.

Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) have a distinct connection to female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Because PFMs surround the female reproductive organs, they play a large part in FSD like dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, and more. Weak PFMs may lead to a feeling of looseness in the vagina and may contribute toward pelvic organ prolapse (POP), where the pelvic organs begin to fall out through the vagina. Additionally, PFMs being too strong or tight may contribute toward pelvic and vaginal pain disorders.

"Whether it be by helping to improve one's intimacy with their partner, helping to conceive, or improving energy and overall health and well-being, every day is truly rewarding."

September's Member of the Month is Kristy Mardis, NP! You can learn more about Kristy and her work here!

A large number of patients with sexual dysfunction may also have neurological disorders that play a direct role in their sexual functioning. Sexual dysfunction and neurologic disorders are comorbidities that have a negative effect on overall quality of life, and it is recommended that they be treated in tandem. This article aims to briefly cover a variety of neurologic disorders and their direct effects on sexual dysfunction.

Since the 1940s, there have been conflicting theories and conclusions surrounding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and whether or not it is safe for hypogonadal men with or without a history of radically treated prostate cancer (PCa). This article will go over some international guidelines and recent research on how to approach TRT in hypogonadal PCa patients.

Dealing with breast cancer is not easy, for patients, families, and care providers alike. Even beyond the emotional and physical toll of cancer treatment, there are unacknowledged effects that every patient may face. Breast cancer survivors represent over 40% of all cancer survivors. Of these, around 50% report experiencing some sort of sexual difficulty, with 45% reporting sexual pain.

Patients may have questions about their options for managing and treating Peyronie’s disease. According to most urological societies, providers are advised to inform patients of their options to the fullest extent possible. Meaning, informing patients about risks, benefits, and efficacy of each option available, whether they’re experimental or not. In order to inform patients to the fullest extent, it’s important to know about each available option. This article intends to outline the basics of each option, including potential risks, benefits, and efficacy, with regard to AUA and CUA recommendations.

The Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) is pleased to announce its endorsement of the newly released AUA Guideline: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline (2025).

Infertility, defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide, with roughly 13.4% pre-menopausal women in the United States affected. This article aims to address options available to female patients and couples to have children and the processes in place to protect all parties involved.