Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is a congenital disorder (meaning people are born with it) that affects around 1/5000 people assigned female at birth. Those with MRKH are born with an absent or underdeveloped uterus, cervix, or upper vagina.

Background

Vulvodynia is a chronic vulvar pain disorder of unknown cause, and can be persistent or provoked (with penetration, tampons, pelvic exams, etc.), beginning at any age. Typically, vulvodynia is diagnosed when symptoms occur in the absence of known infections, dermatological conditions, and neurological disorders.

The ISSM History Committee has achieved an important milestone with the publication of its committee-initiated manuscript in Sexual Medicine Reviews, “History of Peyronie’s Disease: From Early Descriptions to Modern Treatments.” This article represents the fourth manuscript initiated by the committee ISSM History Committee, underscoring its ongoing contribution to the historical scholarship of sexual medicine.

Authored by ISSM History Committee member Wayne Hellstrom and colleagues Fuell, McKnight, Lewis, Trost, Machado, and Miranda, the paper traces the evolution of Peyronie’s disease management from early clinical descriptions to modern, evidence-based care. It highlights the increasing role of validated nonsurgical therapies, while reaffirming the importance of surgical intervention in complex cases. Readers are invited to consult the full article in Sexual Medicine Reviews for comprehensive insights and conclusions.

Read the article here. 

“Plan B,” also known as the morning after pill, is a brand name for a type of emergency contraception that comes in the form of a pill. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that emergency contraception can be effective at preventing pregnancy up to 95% of the time when taken within five days following sexual activity.

Data from the past few years show a recent rise in interest for cosmetic surgeries. Specifically, there has been a rise in labiaplasties, which researchers believe shows there may be concern over genital appearance. In fact, previous studies to create measurement scales have revealed that up to 50% of women studied have expressed concern over the appearance for nonaesthetic reasons as well.

Throughout 2025, the ISSM Future Leaders have been working on projects to provide recommendations to ISSM, to ensure the society remains forward-thinking and relevant for future generations of sexual medicine professionals.

Each group will be presenting their projects to the ISSM Board of Directors at the ISSM/ESSM Annual Meeting in Porto, Portugal, in February 2026.

ISSM Global Voices project is an AI-driven multilingual digital platform designed to promote understanding of human sexuality and advocate for sexual health across diverse cultures.

As part of the ISSM Global Voices initiative, the ICSM 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines have been translated in Spanish and Mandarin, identified as two languages spoken to a large section of the ISSM membership.

As part of this initiative, we call upon Spanish and Mandarin speaking members, to review the translated guidelines and provide feedback by January 16, 2026.

More information is available here.

2025 has been a year of record-breaking numbers, as well as many new initiatives brought to the community. Check out this webpage to see what ISSM has accomplished in 2025. We look forward to another great year in 2026!

Background

Priapism is defined as persistent or prolonged erection occurring with or without sexual stimulation. Ischemic priapism (priapism with little to no blood flow) accounts for roughly 95% of all priapism cases – a urological emergency requiring very quick management to avoid tissue death.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) causes chronic pain in the bladder, often leading to a frequent need to urinate, pain while urinating, and constant pain or tenderness in the bladder and pelvic region. IC/BPS is more common in women than men and can affect any person of any age.

In this Spanish-language ISSM Podcast episode, interviewee Roberta Gobbi Baccarim joins interviewer Estela Citrin to discuss global perspectives in sexual medicine. Their conversation explores communication in sexuality, psychological and clinical approaches, and current research trends. They highlight significant developments and interventions across Latin America, emphasizing both emotional and physical aspects of sexual well-being. The discussion also stresses the value of multidisciplinary collaboration and the ISSM’s role in promoting sexual health worldwide.

Through the ISSM Global Outreach Grant, this project empowers Vietnamese healthcare providers with essential knowledge in transgender medicine.

Using online courses, workshops, and educational tools, it improves quality of care and addresses persistent discrimination in healthcare settings.

"We are deeply honored and grateful to receive the ISSM Global Outreach Grant to support our project aimed at improving transgender care in Vietnam. This opportunity represents not only personal recognition for us at the Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, but also an important milestone for the medical and transgender communities in our country. This project carries deep personal and professional meaning. It reflects our commitment to inclusivity, patient-centered care, and the ethical responsibility to ensure that every individual, regardless of their gender identity, can access safe and appropriate healthcare services. We are confident that this initiative will have a meaningful and lasting impact on the transgender community in Vietnam, offering them the dignity, respect, and medical care they deserve." -Bac Nguyen

Learn more by clicking here.