In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that cancer patients may experience changes in their sexual health due to cancer treatments. While most guidelines acknowledge the importance of addressing patients’ sexual health when they undergo cancer treatment, there continues to be a disconnect between the ideal standard of sexual health care and real-world practice. 

Some medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), and dysraphism can result in neurogenic bladder dysfunction, which means that an individual lacks bladder control due to an issue with their nerves, spinal cord, or brain. When conservative measures to address neurogenic bladder dysfunction fail, sometimes patients opt to undergo a surgery to enlarge their bladder (augmentation cystoplasty) or a surgery to remove their bladder (simple or radical cystectomy).

Introduction

In recent years, there has been much debate in the medical/scientific community regarding the potential addictiveness of pornography. While some experts argue that pornography consumption can become an addiction in the form of a compulsive sexual behavior, others disagree and assert that pornography does not involve all of the components of an addiction and that the term “addiction” is too ill-defined to accurately describe this behavior. However, regardless of whether or not it can be addictive, there are instances in which excessive pornography use leads to personal and/or relational distress. For the purposes of the present study, this is referred to as problematic pornography use.

ISSM is pleased to announce granting 10 scholarships for the ESSM School of Sexual Medicine or the Advance Course. These courses will take place from 18 to 27 November 2022 in Budapest, Hungary. This is a perfect opportunity to enhance your knowledge in the field of Sexual Medicine. Read all about this scholarship offered by ISSM.

Apply now and submit your application!
The deadline for submissions is June 19, 2022. 

Many studies have demonstrated an association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, particularly in older men. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between these conditions remains difficult to define. For instance, depression and anxiety have been identified as risk factors for ED, but past research also suggests that having ED may predispose a person to developing depression or anxiety. What’s more, growing evidence has indicated a greater prevalence of ED in young men than what has historically been acknowledged. Therefore, it is increasingly important to clarify the association between ED and mental health conditions in young men.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that impacts the body’s central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. For reasons currently unknown, when a person has MS, their immune system attacks the protective covering around their nerves (known as the myelin) and causes communication issues between the brain and the rest of the body. Depending on the severity of the condition, MS can cause a number of symptoms including vision problems, fatigue, dizziness, numbness, tingling, weakness in limbs, problems with bowel and bladder functions, and/or paralysis. These symptoms may be temporary or permanent.

Fortunately, HIV diagnoses for women have declined in recent years, but it is still important for women to be aware of the risks and prevention strategies for this sexually transmitted infection (STI) so that they can stay safe during sexual activity. Here are some things that women should know about HIV and their sexual health.

Several studies have reported overall decreases in sexual activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing increased stress, fatigue, household and childcare responsibilities, and mandated lockdowns that might prevent people from meeting new partners as possible factors related to these declines.

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which tissues similar to the endometrium (the tissue that lines the uterus) begin to grow outside of the uterus. It is estimated to affect between 2 to 10 percent of U.S. women between the ages of 25 to 40, and it is most common in women in their 30s and 40s. An often painful condition, endometriosis can cause intense menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual bleeding, pain with sex, and infertility.

The International Classification of Diseases, 11^th Revision (ICD-11) defines compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) as “an impulse control disorder with an inability to control repetitive sexual impulses or urges, resulting in repetitive sexual behaviors, which causes clinically significant problems in social and emotional functioning and marked distress” (Koós et al., 2022).

A person’s sexual health can have ripple effects on various other parts of their life. Depending on the circumstances, sexual health can support or detract from a person’s mental health, physical health, and relationships. Conversely, many aspects of a person’s physical and mental health can directly impact their sexual health. Conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and pelvic floor disorders can be detrimental to a person’s sexual function, thus possibly decreasing their quality of life.

Introduction

Sexual function is typically assessed within the context of partnered sexual activity for both men and women. Nevertheless, masturbation is a very common sexual activity that could provide valuable information about an individual’s sexual response/function. For example, determining if/how a person’s sexual response differs during partnered sex versus masturbation could have big implications regarding the potential causes of and possible treatments for any sexual dysfunctions. To this end, the authors of a recent Journal of Sexual Medicine study explored the differences in sexual response during masturbation and partnered sex for a large, multinational sample of men with and without sexual dysfunction.