This past week I had the honor of attending the 2023 Conference of International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH.org). Here are some of the topics and the new research that stood out to me.
Sex Therapy History & Goals
Sexual Pain Disorders - Understandings & Treatments
Understanding the factors affecting a Sexual Response:
Goals of Sexual Health Therapy:
Sexual Health Promotion Strategies:
Carter, J., Stabile, C., Seidel, B., Baser, R. E., Goldfarb, S., & Goldfrank, D. J. (2017). Vaginal and sexual health treatment strategies within a female sexual medicine program for cancer patients and survivors. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 11(2), 274–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-016-0585-9
Pain Related Disorders - A Bio-Psycho-Social Understanding
Biological Possible Causes of Pain:
Mast Cell Research by Dempsey
Dempsey et.al. Diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome: a global "consensus-2". Diagnosis (Berl). 2020 Apr 22;8(2):137-152. doi: 10.1515/dx-2020-0005. PMID: 32324159.
Fatty Acid Inflammatory Research by Falsetta
Falsetta Ml (et. el). Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators Reduce Pro-nociceptive Inflammatory Mediator Production in Models of Localized Provoked Vulvodynia. J Pain. 2021 Oct;22(10):1195-1209. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.03.144. Epub 2021 Apr 1. PMID: 33813057; PMCID: PMC8484336.
Local Inflammatory Nerve Response by Dantzer
Dantzer R. Neuroimmune Interactions: From the Brain to the Immune System and Vice Versa. Physiol Rev. 2018 Jan 1;98(1):477-504. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00039.2016. PMID: 29351513; PMCID: PMC5866360.
Psychological Impacts of Pain & Inflammation
Bio-Psyco-Social Treatment Strategies for Pain
Biological - Pelvic Floor Muscles
"Musculoskeletal Causes of Chronic Pelvic Pain" by Gyang et. al 2013
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PPT)
Here is a list of online PPT
Here is how to find a PPT or Pelvic Pain Provider
Pelvic PT Internal & External massage of musculature
"Vaginal dilation: When it’s indicated, and tips on teaching it" by Spadt et. al 2012 at obgmanagement.com
List of dilators from various companies
Psychological factors influencing Pain
Take a moment to focus on each individual sense (vision, hearing, feel, smell, taste)
- Dried fruit - like a raisin!
Social factors influencing Pain
Challenge - Daily Incontinence Pad Usage
Suggestion - Daily Moisture Protection
Female Sexual Pain Disorders Updated Edition
- Written by ISSWSH and found on BookShop
Resource Collection for Sexual Health Education
Sexual Health Education Book List
Resource Collection for Pelvic Pain
Living with Pelvic Pain Book List
Resource Collection for Treating Patients with Pelvic Pain
Treating Patients with Pelvic Pain Book List
Books for LGBTQIA Individuals