Sexual Health

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.

As a result of concern over widespread phthalate exposure, pregnant women were studied to determine their phthalate level and its effect on reproductive health.

High doses of vitamin D, which is an immune booster, aren't protective against bacterial vaginosis in women at high risk for STDs.

Two studies show that the emotional impact of uterine fibroids is significant but support is lacking, especially in African American women.

How much does ospemifene really help in the improvement of sexual function in postmenopausal women? David Portman, MD, discusses new study findings.

Voters in North Dakota sent a clear message that health care decisions, from pregnancy to end-of-life care, must involve only patients and their physicians.

A consequence of Measure 1, which may or may not be a "personhood" amendment, is that IVF and other infertility services in North Dakota will end.

There is little research on preserving fertility in transgendered men. Research from Sweden provides some evidence on reproductive counseling in these patients.

Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD, professor of reproductive biology and psychiatry, explains how OB/GYNs can provide office-based sex therapy by telling patients these 5 things.