Vulvodynia is a chronic condition that affects the vulva with no clear cause, causing pain, burning, or irritation that lasts at least three months. Researchers believe that the development of pain-related systems in those diagnosed with vulvodynia may be caused by alterations in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Specifically, previous research suggests the pain experienced from vulvodynia is a result of central sensitization, which is the hypersensitivity of areas in the brain that are responsible for acute pain processing.

Sensation in one's sex organs can be important for experiencing sexual pleasure, reaching orgasm, and feeling sexually healthy. That's why it can be so distressing to lose these sensations, and it may lead to sexual dysfunction, such as anorgasmia (the inability to orgasm), erectile dysfunction, or other issues. Penile and clitoral numbness can both be described as a loss of sensation in the genital area. Each can be distressing in its own right, and each has their own set of implications for sexual health.

Introduction

Concomitant insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or COMISA, means insomnia and OSA occur at the same time, whether that’s long-term, or from time to time. Both conditions on their own have detrimental effects on overall and sexual health as well as one’s quality of life. These sleep disorders can contribute to issues such as heart problems, anxiety, depression, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) revolve around chronic pain and other clinical conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the muscles involved in chewing (mouth and jaw muscles), and other structures in that region. These disorders affect around 31% of adults and can present as pain in the TMJ, limited jaw movement (lock jaw), cracking or popping noises within the joint during jaw function, and more.

According to a 2024 empirical study, there are almost no other studies pertaining to the implications of TMDs in regard to sexual health or sexual functioning. However, this research review did highlight some key aspects of TMD in relation to sexual health based mostly on patient testimonies and patient educational resources.

In this week’s episode with guest Andrea Sansone, we dive deep into how substance abuse affects male sexual health — and the answers might surprise you.

Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious — this is a must-listen.

We're thrilled to announce Professor Giovanni Corona as the new Editor-in-Chief for Sexual Medicine Open Access (SMOA), effective October 1st, 2025!                             

With a background in endocrinology and andrology and more than 20 years experience in the field, Professor Corona brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to advancing sexual medicine. 

Throughout his career, Professor Corona has received prestigious awards from the European Society for Sexual Medicine and the International Society of Andrology. In 2015, he was quoted as one of the top 30 European researchers by the Lab Times and was also included in 2020 among the 100,000 most important scientists in the world. He co-authored more than 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and invited reviews in the field of endocrinology and sexual medicine.

Professor Corona has ben actively involved in several sexual medicine and related journals and has served on numerous scientific committees for both the ISSM and ESSM, as well as other important scientific societies.  Professor Corona has just completed his presidency of the ESSM for which he served between 2022 and 2024.

Professor Corona brings forward a strong vision to advance the journal to the next level, focusing on engaging the next generation of sexual medicine professionals, bringing hot topics to the scientific community and curating regionally relevant content whilst creating a truly global impact of the journal.

Please join us in welcoming Professor Corona to his new role! Together, we look forward to continuing to advance and innovate within Open Access publishing, under Professor Corona’s leadership.

For more information and to access all ISSM Journals, visit: https://www.issm.info/publications

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes most or all of the uterus, and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. It may be done for a variety of reasons, including severe endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic pain, and cancer. The average age of women that receive a hysterectomy is around 50, and depending on the type of surgery, menopause may start immediately. Alternatively, women who get a hysterectomy may already be going through menopause. Both cases can affect overall sexual functioning, whether in positive or negative ways.

Bariatric surgery essentially translates to weight loss surgery and is most commonly one of two types: gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. Surgery is typically recommended when diet and exercise haven’t been working, or when there are serious health problems due to obesity. Obesity is a disease categorized by body mass index (BMI); typically, bariatric surgeries are recommended for obesity class III (BMI 40 or over), otherwise known as extreme obesity. Otherwise, if BMI is around 35 and there are other serious weight-related problems (such as diabetes or heart problems), then bariatric surgery may be suggested.

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a disorder in the penile tunica albuginea, which is just under the skin of the penis and surrounds the tissue that creates and maintains erections. It can cause penile deformity, namely curvature, and pain, and can negatively impact quality of life. This could be due to curvature severity, loss of length or girth, and even erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is quite common in patients with PD, ranging from 31.5% - 54.4% of patients in existing literature.

“Death Grip Syndrome”, as it is commonly referred to, is a slang term referring to the overall desensitization of the penis due to frequent and rigorous masturbation, often with a lot of pressure being placed on the penis. Men in online communities often share they feel as though their penis is “broken”, “dead”. They have also expressed they have a hard time orgasming or feeling sensation and pleasure from masturbation or other sexual activity. However, this situation is not currently recognized in the medical community, resulting in a lack of research or resources.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is categorized as a progressive chronic inflammatory disorder that negatively impacts both physical and mental health, with around 2.8 million individuals affected globally. It has been found that sexual dysfunction occurs in males with MS (MwMS) nine times more frequently than with any other neurological disease. In fact, many MwMS see sexual dysfunction as the most detrimental part of their disease, which then negatively impacts other aspects of their health and quality of life. It has been suggested in previous research that a combination of psychological, physical, and social factors may contribute to the onset of sexual dysfunction. Namely, the presence of disability, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances can cause erectile dysfunction.

Gender dysphoria, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is defined as a “marked incongruence between a person's experienced or expressed gender and the one they were assigned at birth.” While not every transgender or gender diverse individual may experience gender dysphoria, those who do may have difficulties in public spaces, such as work or school, due to social norms and behavioral expectations associated with their assigned sex. Overarching effects of gender dysphoria can include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and relationship problems.