Sexual Health

An oral selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for treatment of mild to moderate dyspareunia in menopausal women reduced signs and symptoms of atrophy in the vulva, vestibule, urethral meatus and vagina region, according to results of a prospective open-label pilot study

In women with endometriosis, deep dyspareunia is associated with lower sexual quality of life (QoL), according to a study.

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of sexual motivation can be helpful in improving the sexual and relationship well-being of couples affected by vulvodynia, according to recent research.

In large part, clinicians and patients do not see eye to eye when it comes to what they consider important criteria for a rating scale assessing female sexual desire, according to a literature review

According to a literature review, apart from the essential role that sex hormones play in modulating hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) through therapeutic interventions, a comprehensive understanding of the biologic mechanisms underlying the disorder is imperative.

Premenopausal and postmenopausal women treated with the combined agonist/antagonist flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are likely to lose weight, according to a post hoc analysis of five studies.

Midpelvic attempted operative vaginal delivery (aOVD) does not increase risk of sexual dysfunction in women or their male partners nor are the women more likely to manifest symptoms of maternal postpartum depression at 6 months compared to counterparts who had low pelvic aOVD, according to a prospective study.

Women with arousal-specific sexual dysfunction are significantly less likely to perceive when their genitals are sexually aroused compared to women who have decreased sexual function or are sexually functional, according to an analysis of data from 5 studies

More than half of young adults between ages 18 and 39 with a cancer diagnosis reported problems with sexual function, according to a 2-year longitudinal study.

An Austrian study highlights the need for ob/gyns to counsel breast cancer survivors about sexual health issues, even years after their treatment for the disease

An integral part of a treatment plan for managing sexual dysfunction in women is the use of hormonal and pharmaceutical agents, a variety of which are available.

A stepwise approach ensures that all the potential issues and needs affecting a women’s sexual dysfunction are addressed prior to initiating management strategies.

Learn about the prevalence of HSDD and hear from Key Opinion Leaders about its effect on premenopausal women.

Female sexual dysfunction is not rare. In the United States, 44% of women are reported to experience some form of sexual dysfunction and 12% of these women report distress associated with dysfunction. Despite this high prevalence, many women never talk to their providers about their sexual difficulties or concerns and many providers fail to broach the topic with their patients.

For particular groups of women, reluctance to talk about sexual difficulties may be enhanced by perceived societal judgements and misconceptions.

An algorithm for determining whether a woman has female sexual dysfunction and which one she may have.

Despite its prevalence and adverse effect on women’s quality of life, female sexual dysfunction is often not addressed for a myriad of reasons.

Physiologic changes during pregnancy affect the body’s hormonal milieu as well as a woman’s sexual desires, responses, and practices. In this review, we discuss knowledge gaps, the physiology of the female sexual response during pregnancy, types of sexual activity during pregnancy, and existing literature on anatomic and physiologic changes by trimester and postpartum.

Small studies suggest effective strategies, but more trials are needed.

A look at the pros and cons of this new drug for women with low sexual desire.

Spicing things up in the bedroom can have consequences, and an exhausted on-call Ob/Gyn can attest to that.

Chronic pelvic pain is costly to diagnose and treat, but appropriate and timely interventions can lead to a restoration of quality of life.

Adolescent girls who receive the HPV vaccine are no more likely than unvaccinated girls to participate in risky sexual behavior.

Vaginal estrogens are effective options for managing bothersome symptoms related to genitourinary syndrome of menopause in postmenopausal women.

Cartoon: Changes in hormone levels aren't the only cause of sleep disturbances in menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Approved treatments of menopause-related symptoms can have narrow indications, but they may offer broader relief of the most bothersome menopause symptoms.

A meta-analysis shows use of hormonal contraception, compared with nonhormonal or no contraception, ups the risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa.

The genes expressed by a common bacteria that causes UTIs protect the bacteria from the process the body uses to fight the infection, new research shows.

From surgical staplers to birthing simulator updates, 2014 brought many new innovations for obstetrics and gynecology.

The FDA has granted a first-ever waiver for a rapid screening test for syphilis, allowing the test to be used in a greater variety of health care settings.