IN MEMORIAM

Rosemary Basson, MB BS, MRCP, FRCP

3 April 1948 – 27 April 2026

The field of sexual medicine mourns the loss of Dr. Rosemary Basson, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia and Founding Director of the UBC Program in Sexual Medicine. Dr. Basson died on 27 April 2026 at age 78, leaving an extraordinary legacy as one of the most influential thinkers in contemporary sexual health.
Born in England, Dr. Basson graduated with honours from the University of London in 1971 and became a Member -and later Fellow- of the Royal College of Physicians. After emigrating to Canada, she practiced family medicine at Lions Gate Hospital (1974–1988) before joining UBC Psychiatry, where she rose to Clinical Professor and established the UBC Program in Sexual Medicine, directing it until her retirement in 2020. Under her leadership, the programme became a leading centre for clinical training and research, educating generations of physicians across psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, and family medicine.

Her most enduring contribution was the reconceptualization of female sexual response, introducing a circular, context dependent model that reshaped diagnostic criteria, clinical practice, and global understanding of women’s sexual desire. Her scholarship spanned neurological disease, androgens and women’s sexual health, provoked vestibulodynia, mindfulness based interventions, and the interplay of mood, cortisol, and desire. She was invited to contribute to The Lancet’s series on sexual medicine and served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, the International Journal of Sexual Health, and the Journal of Menopause, among others. She co-chaired the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine in 2003 and again in 2009.

As a mentor, Dr. Basson was generous, thoughtful, and profoundly formative. To the trainees and fellows who worked with her, she was not only a supervisor but a model of compassion, integrity, and scholarly excellence. She will be remembered for her intellect as much as for her humility, kindness, and quiet strength. Despite her international stature, she remained modest and deeply grounded in her values.

Beyond her professional life, Dr. Basson cherished nature, the sea, forests, and animals - especially cats. Her home was a place of warmth, generosity, and laughter. She was a deeply loving mother and grandmother who cherished her family above all else.
Rosemary Basson will be remembered with profound gratitude and love by all whose lives she touched, as one of the most remarkable physicians, researchers, and human beings we have ever known.

Condolences to the family may be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In accordance with her family's wishes, memorial donations in Dr. Basson’s name may be made to Médecins Sans Frontières or VOKRA (Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association).

In this podcast episode, host Shelly Varod speaks with Trudy Hannington from the United Kingdom about the importance of integrating medical care and psychotherapy in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Together, they discuss why a multidisciplinary approach leads to better patient outcomes by addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of sexual health. Trudy explains how collaboration between medical professionals and sex therapists can help identify underlying medical conditions while also supporting patients with relationship concerns, performance anxiety, and emotional well-being. The conversation explores common challenges faced by men with erectile dysfunction and low libido, the role of testosterone assessment, and how medication and psychotherapy can work together to restore confidence and improve sexual function. They also discuss the importance of involving partners in treatment, addressing misconceptions about sexual medicine, and encouraging open communication within relationships. This episode highlights the value of a patient-centered, biopsychosocial approach to sexual dysfunction and offers practical insights for individuals seeking comprehensive, evidence-based care.

Background

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a poorly defined clinical condition that presents primarily in men with a host of flu-like, somatic, and cognitive symptoms shortly after ejaculation. These symptoms may last for up to a week after ejaculation, significantly impacting quality of life and potentially deterring people from wanting to have sex.

The latest Journal Impact Factors have been released, highlighting continued growth and influence across the ISSM journal portfolio.

This year, two of the Society’s journals achieved notable increases in their Impact Factors:

The Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM) increased to 3.6, up from 3.3 in 2024.
Sexual Medicine Open Access (SMOA) increased to 2.4, up from 2.0 in 2024.

Sexual Medicine Reviews (SMR) received an Impact Factor of 3.0, continuing its role as a leading source of authoritative review articles in sexual medicine.

These results reflect the ongoing dedication of our editors, authors, reviewers, and readers, whose contributions continue to advance high-quality research and education in sexual medicine worldwide.

A special thank you to:
Landon Trost, Editor-in-Chief, JSM
Annamaria Giraldi, Editor-in-Chief, SMR
Mohamed Arafa, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, SMR
Giovanni Corona, Editor-in-Chief, SMOA
Patrícia M. Pascoal, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, SMOA

ISSM remains committed to publishing impactful research that supports scientific discovery, clinical excellence, and improved patient care around the world.

We thank our entire journal community for helping drive the continued success of the ISSM publications portfolio.

In this podcast episode, host Shelly Varod speaks with Estela Citrin, a gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist, about the impact of premature ejaculation on intimate relationships and partners. Together, they explore how premature ejaculation can affect a partner’s emotional well-being, sexual satisfaction, desire, and overall relationship dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of communication, mutual understanding, and recognizing that both partners may experience distress when premature ejaculation becomes a recurring concern. Dr. Citrin also explains the role of couple-based treatment approaches, the benefits of involving partners in therapy, and how shifting the focus from performance to shared pleasure and intimacy can strengthen relationships. This episode offers valuable insights for individuals and couples seeking to better understand and address the relational effects of premature ejaculation.

Popular culture tends to promote a specific body type,  including the genitalia; the clitoral hood, absence or presence of pubic hair, the size of the upper pubic area, and yes, the labia minora. Pornography and websites like OnlyFans tend to portray the labia minora in a specific manner, based on the most popular videos. While some may view this as a negative and stigmatizing concept, others view it more positively, inviting this virtual “labia library” to help inform people about their bodies.

Long before the terms “gainsmaxxing”, “big gains”, “getting yoked”, and “getting swole” were coined, resistance training was already working its way into mainstream fitness settings and microcultures.

In this podcast episode, host Shelly Varod speaks with Silva Neves, a psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist and trauma therapist, about the complexities of sexual consent in everyday life. Together, they explore what consent truly means, how attachment styles, trauma, shame, and self-esteem can influence a person’s ability to express boundaries, and why consent should remain an ongoing conversation throughout relationships. The discussion also examines consent in online spaces, the impact of people-pleasing behaviors, and the role of psychotherapy in helping individuals develop healthier boundaries and stronger self-awareness. Finally, Silva shares practical insights into healthy sexual negotiation and how consent can be communicated clearly, respectfully, and even playfully while fostering emotional and physical safety. This episode offers valuable perspectives on building healthier, more fulfilling intimate relationships.

Background

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder that involves the buildup of fibrotic plaque in the penis, which can lead to penile curvature, deformities like indentations or an hourglass shape, and a loss of elasticity. As a result, many men with PD experience painful erections or erectile dysfunction (ED).

In this podcast episode, host Estela Citrin speaks with Leonardo Seligra from Brazil about testosterone replacement therapy in men. Together, they discuss the appropriate clinical indications for testosterone therapy, the importance of accurate diagnosis, and the distinction between proper medical use and misuse of testosterone. Dr. Seligra explains the role of symptoms and repeated testosterone measurements in diagnosing hypogonadism, as well as the expected benefits and realistic timelines for improvement in sexual health, mood, muscle strength, and bone health. The conversation also highlights the importance of counseling patients, setting realistic expectations, and using a biopsychosocial and multidisciplinary approach to treatment. In addition, they address potential adverse effects, cardiovascular concerns, and the growing issue of non-regulated testosterone products and pellets available outside proper medical supervision. This episode provides valuable insights into the safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered management of testosterone replacement therapy in men.