I haven’t neglected my blog–it was just being updated–so I haven’t had a chance to report on ISSWSH. ISSWSH is a multidisciplinary organization. Medical doctors, physical therapists, nurses, and psychotherapists all gather to listen and discuss the latest research on women’s sexual health.

There are many studies on sexual health and the role of hormones. Remember, many women have hormonal imbalances due to hysterectomy or breast or gynecological cancers. Physicians really do want to help their patients appropriately. After the Women’s Health Initiative study was stopped because of harm caused by hormone replacement therapy, the interest in this area is stronger than ever. I don’t prescribe hormones, but I still need the knowledge because sometimes I need to explore with a female patient the risks of taking HRT.

Then there were several presentations on sexual health, chronic illness, and cancer. It is not just hormonal imbalances but psychological concerns that can affect a woman’s sexuality when she has an illness. Feelings about one’s body, lacking energy because of the illness itself, taking medications that affect functioning, and so on need to be addressed in both the physician’s office and the psychologist’s office.

Physical therapy can be extremely important in helping women with sexual problems. A PT can teach a woman about her anatomy and help her to strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles. A PT can act as a coach about problems like orgasm, or how to be sexual without intercourse in case of pain.

I’ve worked with all of these varied professionals to help patients enjoy their sex lives to the fullest extent possible. I enjoyed the conference and am planning to present next year–in Florence, Italy.

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