SexMed

Flibanserin's approval by the FDA for women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), touted by the press as the "Pink Viagra," created an enormous amount of media hype across the nation. But the facts on this drug's mechanism of action, intended benefits, adverse effects, and efficacy borne in clinical trials have gone largely under the radar.

Joining Dr. Michael Krychman to discuss the rise of flibanserin and its key takeaways for clinicians is Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg, Chief of the Division of Behavioral Medicine in the Department of OB/GYN and Professor in the Departments of Reproductive Biology and Psychiatry at Case Medical Center University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.

As many clinicians have become increasingly aware, the problem of obesity involves a complex interplay of habits and hormones, influenced by genetic predispositions and cultural practices alike. Whereas the supposed magic bullets of weight loss pills and fad diets are always in high demand, few to none have demonstrated consistent benefit for patients, and the struggle to avoid the "yo yo effect" of regained weight goes on.

Sexual health problems represent some of the most difficult issues reported by patients who are obese, but rarely are these complaints properly registered or addressed by clinicians. Joining Dr. Michael Krychman at ACOG’s annual scientific meeting to focus on this neglected aspect of obesity is Dr. Maida Taylor, Clinical Professor of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences of the University of California-San Francisco. They discuss counseling strategies and interventions for patients striving toward better sexual health as they pursue more healthy, stable weight.

Low libido, a condition affecting an estimated 10% of women, can develop at any age and be attributed to several factors in a woman’s life, from lifestyle changes to medication and procedural side effects.

Join host Dr. Michael Krychman and Dr. Leah Millheiser, Director of Female Sexual Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, on the floor of ACOG’s annual scientific meeting. They discuss current knowledge gaps in recognizing and treating low libido, and the importance of sexual health psychology within therapeutic approaches.

There is a stigma around sex in the United States. That stigma makes it difficult both for patients to disclose details about their sex lives in clinical settings and for physicians to ask patients about sex. Consequentially patients may have treatable but unaddressed sexual problems because their physicians don't know those problems exists.

Join Dr. Matt Birnholz and Dr. Maureen Whelihan, President of The Center for Sexual Health and Education in West Palm Beach, Florida, as they discuss case stories spanning the various ages and stages of sexual health, and their implications in helping physicians and patients talk about sex.

For women in their 40's and 50's, approximately one in four will develop a pelvic floor disorder such as urinary incontinence. By the age of 80, that prevalence rises to more than 50 percent. The struggle with a pelvic floor disorder has lasting effects on a woman's sexual health, leading to numerous psychosocial and physical consequences in turn. But of equal concern to many patients dealing with the symptoms of their disorder is the potential aftermath of reconstructive surgical treatments, such as mesh slings, due to their troubling complication rates. Are these concerns justified, and if so, how can the risks be mitigated by both physicians and patients?

Joining Dr. Michael Krychman to discuss the misconceptions versus realities of pelvic floor disorder treatments is Dr. Cheryl Iglesia, Professor in the departments of OB/GYN and Urology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Drector of the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery section of Medstar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Many clinicians think that one of the most dangerous things a woman will ever do in her life is to carry and conceive a child. Stemming from this belief, several misconceptions have risen within the medical community, and by extension the general public, concerning risks of sexual activity during pregnancy. Joining host Dr. Michael Krychman at ACOG's annual scientific meeting to clarify the facts versus myths on sexuality during and after this important life event is Dr. Haywood Brown, Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University Medical Center.

The market for sexual health products and accessories, from moisturizers to lubricants to self-stimulators, is very large, and this creates confusion among patients and physicians alike as to which types of products are most helpful for specific sexual health problems. To address ways to gauge the safety and efficacy of sexual health products on the market, particularly for perimenopausal patients with special needs, Dr. Michael Krychman welcomes Dr. Barb Depree, gynecologist, menopause care specialist, and founder of MiddlesexMD, a website providing information and recommended products for women's sexual health.

For years, women's sexual health matters have been relatively ignored in both clinical practice and the public eye despite consistently heavy media attention drawn towards men's sexual issues and associated therapeutic products. But there is recent evidence that the tide of public awareness is beginning to change, and that's women's sexual health is becoming more openly discussed across medical, public, and corporate entities. Joining Dr. Michael Krychman to qualify this new trend and examine ways to open communication about sexual health with women in clinical practice is Dr. Alyssa Dweck, assistant clinical professor of OB/GYN at the Mount Sanai School of Medicine and expert in women's sexual health and dysfunction.

Bladder leakage is one of many health-related issues that our female patients deal with. There are newly available treatment options, including non-surgical options, to help remedy the problem. Host Dr. Michael Krychman welcomes Dr. Holly Thacker to decipher the pros and cons of the various options available. Dr. Holly L. Thacker, nationally known for her leadership in women’s health, is the founder of the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Health Fellowship and is currently Professor and Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic and Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. She is also author of two books: Women’s Health: Your Body, Your Hormones, Your Choices and Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause.

Pain is one of the most significant barriers to pleasurable sex— and very common, affecting 15 to 25 percent of women at some point during their lifetime. Dyspareunia and vaginismus are two of the most common pain disorders. What are the signs and symptoms, and what are the questions you can ask your patients in order to assess whether they're having pain and what type? Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg, chief of the division of behavioral medicine in the department of OB/GYN at Case Medical Center University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, joins host Dr. Maureen Whelihan to talk about treating dyspareunia and vaginismus through medication, behavioral therapy and pelvic floor physical therapy.

When a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer, a doctor's first concern is a treatment plan. But what happens after chemotherapy, radiation and surgery? Women must once again learn to reconnect with their bodies. Dr. Michael Krychman, executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, joins host Dr. Maureen Whelihan to discuss the treatment of low sexual desire in breast cancer survivors.

More than 43 percent of women across the country, of all ages and races, have some type of sexual complaint or problem; but more often than not, they don't talk to their doctor about it. How can doctors bring up this issue without making their patients feel uncomfortable? Dr. Michael Krychman, executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine, joins host Dr. Maureen Whelihan to discuss how to overcome the barriers when talking about sex with patients, as well as what causes low desire in women and how to treat it.

Most men who deal with erectile dysfunction (ED) suffer in silence because they don't know how to approach the subject with their doctor. How can you make it easier for your patients to talk about this sometimes embarrassing issue? Dr. Stanley Althof, professor emeritus at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Maureen Whelihan as they look at the biological and psychological causes of ED as well as the impact it can have on the health of couples.