The pelvic floor is a grouping of muscles that support the urogenital and rectal area of the body. This area extends from the anus to the mons pubis (the area of skin above the vulva), and from side to side. Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) exist to help with urination, bowel movements, vaginal contractions, and to ensure the pelvic organs (uterus, bladder, etc.) stay in place.

ISSM is offering 10 full scholarships for the prestigious ESSM School of Sexual Medicine, taking place November 13-22, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your clinical expertise and connect with top professionals in the field!

Deadline: June 15, 2026

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This message is to inform you that currently a fake email account for the ISSM President Run Wang is being used, requesting to respond to 'a time-sensitive request that requires your specialized support.'

Please note that this account is NOT an email account from the ISSM president and please do not reply or click on any links in this message. It is best to delete it directly. If you reply to the email, they will send you even more messages and try to get you convinced to transfer money. This method is called a smart form of phishing.

Phishing

Phishing is a form of online scamming using fake e-mails, websites or messages. How can you identify those fake e-mails and how can you distinguish them from real messages? Smart cybercriminals can really make you doubt. Here are a number of tips to help you assess whether or not you can trust a message.

The basic rule: Cyber criminals always try to abuse something you believe in or someone you trust. They also often try to use fear to achieve their ends. Do not get tricked!

Tips

Did you get a suspicious e-mail or phone call? Then answer these questions:

• Is it unexpected? - You received a message for no reason: you did not buy anything, have not had contact with them for a long time, etc. Investigate further.
• Is it urgent? - Stay calm: did you really get a first reminder to pay? Do you know that 'friend in need'?
• Do you know the person who sent the e-mail? - Check the e-mail address, and also check for spelling errors. However, beware: a legitimate e-mail address is no guarantee.
• Do you find the request strange? - An official body will never ask you for your password, bank details or personal details via e-mail, SMS or over the telephone.
• Where does the link you need to click on lead to? - Hover over the link with your mouse. Is the domain name, the word before “.be”, “.com”, “.eu”, “.org”, etc. and before the very first slash "/", really the organization’s name?
• Are you being personally addressed? - Be wary of messages using general and vague titles, or your e-mail address to address you.
• Does the message contain many linguistic errors? - Although seasoned cybercriminals tend to use language correctly, language errors or a foreign language can indicate a suspicious message.

If you are in doubt about emails you receive from ISSM (now or in the future) or have any questions/concerns, please always contact us through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at: +31 75 647 63 72.

We invite all ISSM members to actively engage and contribute to the Scientific Program Committee for the upcoming joint ISSM/MESSM Scientific Meeting.

Please read the Terms of Reference carefully before applying for a role in the Scientific Program Subcommittee 2027.

The deadline to apply is June 7, 2026.

Apply here.

Background

Male sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and Peyronie’s disease (PD), is highly prevalent and tends to have a significant impact on men’s health globally. The normal courses of treatment for these include pharmacological routes, like phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5-is) for ED, physiotherapeutic routes, like the stop-start method for PE, and surgical routes for PD and ED. However, even the most standard options have their drawbacks, sometimes leading to frustration and further distress among patients.

In this podcast episode, hosts Danielle Velez and Brittany Berk speak with urologist Matt Ziegelmann and clinical sexologist Heather Howard about the role of urologists and sexologists in sexual health care. They explore how education, clear communication, and practical tools can significantly reduce patient anxiety around sensitive topics like sexual dysfunction. Dr. Ziegelmann explains how detailed clinical notes, pre‑visit videos, and team‑based handouts prepare patients for what to expect, while Dr. Howard describes her solution‑focused, educational approach to sexuality counseling and the importance of creating a non‑judgmental space. The conversation highlights how normalizing discussions about sex, offering varied entry points (written questions, discovery calls), and building strong referral relationships can improve trust, comfort, and outcomes for patients.

In the second part of this conversation, hosts  Danielle Velez and Brittany Berk continue their discussion with Matt Ziegelmann and Heather Howard, focusing on how to support patients who are highly anxious, guarded, or even appear “unprofessional” when talking about sex. They discuss how such behaviors often reflect defense mechanisms, and share strategies for naming what is happening, setting boundaries, and turning the clinical encounter into a “sandbox” for learning new patterns. Dr. Howard explains her role as a consultant using goal‑oriented models and frameworks, while Dr. Ziegelmann emphasizes why urologists should routinely ask about sexual health and see themselves as gateways to biopsychosocial care. This episode underscores the importance of collaboration, clear referral pathways, and viewing sexuality as a relational, not just functional, aspect of health.

Microplastics are plastic particles under 5mm in size and have been a popular area of concern amongst the general population and many health and wellness experts. Microplastics come from the breakdown of plastic waste that floats through the ocean or is not properly disposed of, leading to the pollution of waterways and breathable air. Most often, this conversation revolves around seafood (including salt), and fruits and vegetables.

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
• Register to join our upcoming ISSM ISSM Webinar on Sexual Pain: A Global Call for Awareness and Change in All Genders.
• 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 resources on Sexual Pain

• Over last 5 years, more than 2,000 articles have been published in the ISSM Sexual Medicine Journals about sexual pain. Check them out here.
• 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
• VJSM videos on sexual pain
• ISSM Podcast episode on female sexual pain

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.