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May 7th is Sexual Pain Awareness Day.
Pain during sexual activity (dyspareunia) is a highly prevalent yet underrecognized condition. Estimates suggest rates of 20–40% among women of reproductive age, 60–80% at six months postpartum, and up to 40% during menopause. Among women with chronic illnesses, prevalence is even higher. In men, the absence of standardized definitions and the relative lack of research limit precise estimates, though available data suggest rates of 1.8–12%.
Despite its high prevalence, dyspareunia remains insufficiently addressed, even in 2026. Many individuals do not seek evaluation due to stigma, embarrassment, or the belief that pain during sex is normal or untreatable. Those who do seek care may encounter minimization or misdiagnosis, often requiring consultations with multiple providers before receiving appropriate assessment and management.
Aetiologies vary across life stages and involve both physical and psychosocial components. In addition to somatic factors, dyspareunia is frequently associated with anxiety, depression, shame, reduced self-esteem, and relational distress. Even when physical symptoms improve, psychological sequelae may persist, underscoring the need for multidisciplinary care integrating medical, psychological, and sex therapy approaches.
In light of the scope and impact of this condition, we want to join the Israel SPAD steering group initiative to designate May 7th as Sexual Pain Awareness Day (SPAD), aimed at increasing public and professional awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting access to evidence-based care.
How can you take part in Sexual Pain Awareness Day?
- You are encouraged to share this information with friends, colleagues, and patients
- We invite you to become an ambassador for sexual pain awareness and mark the day in your workplace through flyers, lectures, social media posts, or any other initiative (Sexual Pain Awareness Day is a non-profit initiative, and all activities should be free of charge)
- Are you organizing an event to mark the day at your workplace? Let us know!
- If you share content on social media, feel free to tag: #SPAD2026 #SexualPain #PainfulSex
- Join the Sexual Pain Awareness Day 12-hour Live Virtual Marathon hosted by Hadassah University Medical Center. This event features 35 short lectures by a multidisciplinary, multicultural team including physicians, sex therapists, pelvic floor physiotherapists, and mental health professionals. Lectures will be in Hebrew and Arabic, with live captioning in English.
Check out these ISSM Journals Articles on Sexual Pain
Sexual shame: a narrative review
Check out these ISSM resources on Sexual Pain
Sexual health articles for patients on sexual pain
ISSM University course on Dyspareunia in Women
ISSM University Course on Managing Female Sexual Pain in the Practical Setting
Pornography is defined as material deemed sexual, given the context, that has the primary intention of sexually arousing the consumer and is produced and distributed with the consent of all persons involved. This could include film, images, videos, texts, and books, and dates back to prehistoric times, with cave drawings as some of the earliest discoveries of porn.
In this podcast episode, host Estela Citrin speaks with Andrea Sansone, an endocrinologist and andrologist, about the complex relationship between infertility and sexual dysfunction. Together, they explore how infertility can affect intimacy, self-perception, and the dynamics within a couple. Dr. Sansone discusses how the shift from sex for pleasure to sex for reproduction can create psychological pressure, impact sexual function, and lead to distress for both partners. The conversation also highlights gender differences in how infertility is experienced, the importance of addressing both partners in treatment, and the role of early psychological support. This episode provides valuable insights into the emotional and clinical aspects of infertility, emphasizing a holistic and patient-centered approach to care.
In this podcast episode, host Shelly Varod speaks with André Ribeirinho, a psychiatrist specializing in sexology, about gender incongruence and its implications for individuals and healthcare. Together, they explore what gender incongruence means, how it develops, and why it is no longer considered a pathology. Dr. Ribeirinho discusses the importance of understanding a person’s internal sense of gender, the role of multidisciplinary care, and the need for individualized, patient-centered approaches. The conversation also highlights the psychological and social challenges individuals may face, the critical role of family support, and the importance of evidence-based information in an era of widespread misinformation. This episode offers thoughtful insights into a complex and sensitive topic, promoting greater awareness, empathy, and informed care.
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Interested in shaping the future of sexual medicine? ISSM invites members to share their expertise as reviewers for our journals. Contribute to maintaining high scientific standards while staying closely connected to the latest research and developments in the field!
Check out this video where top reviewer Dr. Carolyn Salter explain why you should become a journal reviewer.
If you are not an ISSM member, click here to submit your interest in becoming a journal reviewer. If you are an ISSM member, update your profile to indicate that you are interested in becoming a journal reviewer.
Update on the Global Outreach Arabic Podcast Project
The ISSM Global Outreach Committee awards grants each year to projects that advance sexual health education and care worldwide. In 2025, one grant supported the development of an Arabic-language podcast, and we are pleased to share its success.
Developed in Lebanon, the project delivered a 10-part video podcast series covering topics often considered taboo, including sexual pain, infertility, menopause, and communication in clinical settings. The series was designed to be culturally sensitive and accessible, providing evidence-based education for both healthcare professionals and the public.
The initiative achieved strong reach, engaging 4.4 million women, generating 1.9 million YouTube views, and recording nearly 43,000 podcast streams and downloads. Survey results showed that 90% of participants reported improved knowledge, and 85% felt more comfortable discussing sexual health topics.
Applications for the 2026 Global Outreach Grant are now open until 1 May 2026. Click here for more information or to read the full case study for the Arabic podcast project.
In this podcast episode, hosts Estela Citrin and Shelly Varod speak with James Simon, a leading expert in menopause and women’s sexual health, about hormone therapy and its role in women’s lives. Together, they explore what hormone therapy is, why it may be needed, and address common fears, particularly around safety and breast cancer risk. Dr. Simon explains how hormonal changes after menopause affect the body, the benefits of treatment, and why individualized care is essential. The conversation also highlights the importance of evidence-based medicine, helping patients distinguish between scientifically proven treatments and misleading alternatives. This episode offers clear, practical insights for anyone seeking to better understand hormone therapy and make informed decisions about their health.
In this ISSM Podcast episode, Tanginika S. Cuascud concludes her conversation with Rachel Rubin by focusing on patient empowerment and access to care. They discuss the challenges many women face when seeking help for menopause and sexual health concerns, including misinformation, dismissal, and gaps in clinical training. Dr. Rubin emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and encourages women to take an active role in finding knowledgeable providers. The episode also explores practical pathways to care, including the role of telemedicine and specialized clinicians, while highlighting the ongoing need for education and systemic change to better support women’s health worldwide.
In this ISSM Podcast episode, Tanginika S. Cuascud continues her conversation with Rachel Rubin, focusing on hormone therapy and its impact on women’s health. They examine the long-lasting effects of the Women’s Health Initiative and how fear-driven messaging has influenced both patients and clinicians for decades. Dr. Rubin discusses recent changes in regulatory guidance and the challenges of reversing deeply ingrained misconceptions in medical practice. The discussion also addresses the role of testosterone in women, common barriers to prescribing it, and the broader need for education, advocacy, and accessible care to better support women navigating midlife health changes.
Background
Peri-orgasmic fluid (POF) encompasses vaginal lubrication, squirting, female ejaculation (FE), and urine from coital incontinence (CI). These all occur naturally but have different biochemical compositions.
Applications Now Open: 2026 ISSM Global Outreach Grant
We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 ISSM Global Outreach Grant.
As part of ISSM’s mission to make sexual medicine education and care accessible worldwide, this grant supports initiatives that enhance awareness and knowledge of sexual health issues, particularly in regions where access to educational and clinical resources is limited.
ISSM members around the world are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to make a meaningful difference in sexual health education and care in the regions that need it most.
Applications are open from March 16 to May 1, 2026.
To learn more about the Global Outreach Grant and apply visit: https://www.issm.info/grants/issm-global-outreach-grant/
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ISSM is alerting members to a recent increase in emails soliciting submissions to potential predatory journals. In several cases, these journals have used titles that closely resemble The Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM), ISSM’s official publication, which may cause confusion among researchers.
Predatory journals operate with the primary goal of profit rather than the advancement of high-quality scientific research. They often publish large volumes of articles with little to no peer review, compromising academic integrity. This type of publishing has grown rapidly in recent years, alongside other misleading practices such as fraudulent conferences and deceptive editorial invitations.
Insights from ISSM’s webinar on publication ethics highlight that predatory publishing is part of a broader challenge within scientific research. Increasing pressure to publish has created an environment in which researchers may be more vulnerable to unethical or misleading opportunities. At the same time, the expanding volume of journals has made it more difficult to distinguish between legitimate and questionable outlets.
Members are reminded that these solicitations are not affiliated with ISSM or its official journals, despite any similarities in name or branding. Researchers are strongly encouraged to verify journal credentials, review editorial processes, and remain cautious of unsolicited invitations to submit their work.
Maintaining high standards in publication ethics is essential to preserving the integrity and credibility of scientific research. ISSM continues to advocate for awareness, vigilance, and best practices in academic publishing.
