Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common health concerns that can affect anyone who is sexually active. Understanding the signs and symptoms of an STI and knowing when to seek medical attention can help protect your health and that of your partner(s).

Chronic pain, defined as pain lasting more than three months, affects one in five adults worldwide and often disrupts daily life and emotional well-being. It’s also linked to sexual well-being (SWB), a crucial part of quality of life. While past research has focused mostly on the effect of chronic pain on narrow aspects of sexual function (like arousal), a new study explored broader aspects of SWB, including sexual satisfaction, self-esteem, and motivation.

The ISSM committees are instrumental in making the vision and mission of ISSM a reality. Every year hundreds of members volunteer their time, energy and expertise to serve on our committees. The work they carry out not only ensures ISSM continues to provide excellent service to our members, but also helps progress the field of sexual medicine and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

We like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all 54 outgoing committee members, across 11 committees, who have ended their term in 2024.

Communication Committee:

Juza Chen
Koichi Nakajima
Augusto Pepe Cardoso

Education Committee: 

Verónica Basso
Angelika Kolomanska
Flavio Machado de Oliveira
Omer Raheem
Cobi Reisman
Talli Rosenbaum
Rachel Rubin
Alan Shindel
Landon Trost
Yan Zhang

Ethics Committe:

Carmita Abdo
Peer Briken
Geoff Hackett
Rupin Shah

Finance and Audit Committee:

Ronny Tan

Global Outreach Committee:

Ahmad Bilal
Daniela Wittmann
Dung Mai Bai Tien
Edwin Reyes
Enis Rauf Coskuner
Gajanan Bhat
Philip Odiyo

Grants & Prizes Committee:

Hui Jiang
Laith M Alzweri
Panchanan Acharjee

History Committee: 

Edgardo Becher

Membership Committee:

Alejandro Carvajal
Dae Yul Yang
Frederick Mendiola
Sushil Kumar Sompur Vasanthkumar
Wu Han

Publication Committee:

David Rowland
Fernando Facio
R. Clinton Webb
Sheryl Kingsberg

Scientific Review Committee:

Giuliano Aita
Stanley Althof
Joana Carvalho
Sue Goldstein

Young Researchers Committee:

Luca Boeri
Paolo Capogrosso
Jose Flores Martinez
Borja Garcia-Gómez
Wu Han
Mounir Jamali
Bruno Nascimento
Edoardo Pozzi
Nahid Punjani
Andrea Salonia
Hisanori Taniguchi
Filipe Tenorio

Sexual dysfunctions can affect anyone, including individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. However, these dysfunctions often present unique challenges for LGBTQIA+ individuals due to a combination of societal stigma, medical discrimination, and limited research that overlooks their specific needs. Understanding these sexual dysfunctions and addressing them inclusively can lead to better sexual health outcomes and improved quality of life for these individuals. This article explores common sexual dysfunctions affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals and the unique considerations involved.

Intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) measures the time from penetration to ejaculation during sex and is often used to diagnose and treat premature ejaculation (PE). PE is typically defined by a short IELT (less than 1 minute for lifelong PE or under 3 minutes for acquired PE) accompanied by distress or difficulty delaying ejaculation. Although research often focuses on IELT improvements with treatment, little is known about how men with PE perceive a “normal” IELT or what they expect from treatment outcomes.

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer that develops in the tissues of the penis. Early detection is critical for successful treatment, so understanding the symptoms is important. This article explains the signs and symptoms of penile cancer in simple terms and provides useful information for those who might have concerns.

Some people engage in sex not because they want to but out of a sense of duty or obligation to their partner. This is known as “duty sex,” which can stem from feelings of pressure, fear of disappointing a partner, or a belief that it’s simply part of the relationship. Research specifically on women shows that those who have experienced nonconsensual sexual events (NSEs), such as sexual pressure or assault, are more likely to engage in duty sex. These experiences may shape how they view sex, making them feel less satisfied and more likely to prioritize a partner’s expectations over their own desires.

Dear ISSM members,

As 2024 ends, I am sure that many of you have spent time with loved ones, gathered for holiday meals and special celebrations. It has been an extraordinary year for ISSM under the leadership of Dr. Gerald Brock. We witnessed the huge success of ICSM in Madrid and WMSM in Rio de Janeiro. The Movember project is also gaining momentum.

This would not be possible without your hard work and collective efforts. The ISSM Executive Committee are grateful to all of you, a remarkable team of 3,500+ ISSM members, for your steadfast dedication to our mission. Looking ahead to 2025, we will be embarking on many exciting projects, including the launch of the ISSM Future Leaders Program, publication of the recommendations from the ICSM, promoting awareness of prostate cancer and its impact on sexual health under the Movember project, and the continuing efforts of the surgical outreach program in underserved regions.

2025 will also be an unique year for ISSM since we will have two joint meetings: one with ISSWSH at the end of February in Atlanta, USA and another one with SASSM in September at Bangalore, India. I am looking forward to seeing you at these meetings for quality scientific exchanges and building warm friendships within the community. I wish you all a very successful and joyous new year. It will be a great honor and privilege to serve you as your ISSM president.

Run Wang, MD, FACS.

After giving birth, many individuals experience changes in their bodies, emotions, and relationships, including their sexual health. These changes are normal and often temporary, but they can feel overwhelming. Understanding the most common concerns and how to address them can help ease this transition.

When people think about sexual health, they often focus on the idea of orgasm as the ultimate goal of intimacy. However, recent discussions in the field of sexual medicine, including insights from a publication in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggest that sexual pleasure is a broader and equally important concept. This distinction may help reshape how we think about healthy sexuality.

Vaginal lubrication is essential for comfort, particularly during sexual activity. It reduces friction, prevents discomfort, and enhances pleasure. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, you’re not alone – many people encounter this at different stages of life. Understanding the causes and potential solutions can help you manage this issue effectively.

Introduction

Sexual motivation involves the brain’s emotional, thinking, and movement systems working together to drive actions like approaching or initiating sexual activity. Sexual arousal and lying can affect brain activity, which can be measured through motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). MEPs are signals recorded from muscles when specific brain areas, like the motor cortex, are stimulated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses electromagnetic pulses to temporarily activate parts of the brain.