A summary of the research article "Female Sexual Arousal Disorders" has been posted to the ISSM website. This study, published online in The Journal of Sexual Medicine on September 13, 2012, was written by Annamaria Giraldi, MD, PhD; Alessandra H. Rellini, PhD; James Pfaus, PhD; and Ellen Laan, PhD.

The study examines the definitions of and approaches to female sexual arousal disorders and discusses the following: 

• Prevalence
• Biological, psychological, and intrapersonal / interpersonal risk factors
• Assessment, including sexological history, psychological and relational history, medical and gynecological history, physical examination, and laboratory tests
• Principles of treatment, including psychosexual treatment, pharmacological treatment, and nonmedical treatment
• Hyperarousal disorders [restless genital syndrome (ReGS) / persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD)]

Please click here for more details on this research. 

A new surgical procedure may restore penile sensation in men with spina bifida or spinal cord injury.

The TOMAX procedure (“TO MAX-imize sensation, sexuality, and quality of life”) was originally developed in the Netherlands and was recently performed for the first time in the United States.

The surgery involves removing a portion of the nerve that provides sensation to the thigh skin and transferring it to the nerve that provides skin sensation to the penis.

Last fall, a report in The Journal of Urology shared the results of a study involving 30 patients in the Netherlands. Eighteen of the men had spina bifida and twelve had spinal cord injury.

Before surgery, the men had "no penile sensation but good groin sensation," the study authors wrote.

After the procedure, 80% of the men developed unilateral glans penis sensation. Their sexual function and satisfaction improved and they were better able to manage urinary incontinence.  

“Most patients felt more complete and less handicapped with their penis now part of their body image,” the study authors wrote. “They also reported having more open and meaningful sexual relationships with their partners.”

Please click here for more details.

The ISSM is pleased to announce the launch of its newest journal, Sexual Medicine, published by Wiley. This journal aims to publish multidisciplinary clinical, basic, and epidemiological research to define and understand the basis of sexual function and dysfunction in diverse populations.

Sexual Medicine welcomes manuscripts on the following topics:

• basic anatomy and physiology pertaining to human sexuality
• pharmacology
• clinical management of sexual dysfunction
• epidemiological studies in sexuality, psychosexual and interpersonal dimensions of human sexuality
• clinical trials

Sexual Medicine will also act as a venue for topics of regional or sub-specialty interest.

As an open access journal, Sexual Medicine will publish articles rapidly and make them freely available to read, download, and share. A publication fee paid by authors will defray the publishing costs.

To celebrate the launch of Sexual Medicine, all active ISSM members including joint APSSM, ESSM, ISSWSH, MESSM, SLAMS & SMSNA members are eligible to receive an 80% (!) discount on the article publication charge for a special introductory period!

Click here to learn more about publishing in Sexual Medicine. Further information about submitting a manuscript can be found here.