ESSM Newsletter # 39

4 ESSM Today Lisbon on the Wave of Sexual Medicine. A report from the Lisbon WMSM 2018 Regarding the psychological evaluation of the sexual response, Pedro Nobre presented the work he has developed in the Laboratory of Research in Human Sexuality of the University of Porto, where he studies the answers (erec- tion/vaginal vasocongestion) and psychological (excitement, pleasure and cognitive variables) during experiments in which people are exposed to sexual stimuli (usually films). In this context, he described the use of thermal cameras, which constitute a new technique of less invasive evalu- ation, and the role of emotions in the sexual responses. The sexual responses at the level of the genitals do not always correspond exactly to the self-report of excitement and pleasure. One of the factors that best explains these dif- ferences are the emotions and thoughts during sexual activity, which are related to the more subjective part of the sensation of excitement and pleasure. According to the researcher, these findings may be decisive for the future of the treatment of some sexual dysfunctions, since regardless of whether there is a greater or lesser genital sexual response, this does not invalidate that patients can improve the more subjective aspect, increasing their satisfaction and sexual well-being. Prof. Luca Incrocci, ISSM’s outgoing chair- man and one of the decision-makers about the WMSM in Portugal, does not hide the satisfaction of the high participation in this congress of 2018 and the willingness to learn that the congress- men have demonstrated. Still, while admitting that a long way has gone, the deputy director of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Sexologist at the Erasmus Cancer Institute in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, believes that there is much more to improve, and it is necessary to advance to other areas of research, such as female dysfunctions or oncossexuality, betting on the development of new drugs capable of treating these problems in both sexes, as well as enhancing Sexual Medicine where it is most needed, that is, in the African continent and in many Asian regions. It was in this sense that the ESSM Education Committee, chaired by Prof. Mikkel Fode, in- cluded in the program a pre-congress course and several workshops in a joint venture with ISSM. The course aimed to prepare participants for ECPS [EFS-ESSM Certified Psycho-Sexolo- gist] and FECSM [Fellow of the European Com- mittee for Sexual Medicine] exams. The main purpose of the workshops organized together with ISSM was to promote the exchange of experiences on the clinical practice of each one. Recalling that in many hospitals, sexual Medicine is not considered important, which means fighting on a daily basis for the recogni- tion of this discipline and for the importance of treating these patients, the chairman of the ESSM Education Committee says that scientific meetings have three main purposes: to provide basic and advanced knowledge, to foster net- working and to be a source of inspiration. Indeed it is always interesting to know what is emerging and to extend knowledge, because this may help us to get new ideas for further research. On the latest advances in sexual medicine, this urologist at the University Hospital in Roskilde, Denmark, highlights the new treatment for pre- mature ejaculation based on electrical stimula- tion of the pelvic floor and an investigation into the use of botulinum toxin to combat this prob- lem, the possibility of performing penis implants only with local anesthesia and the new indica- tions for the treatment of erectile dysfunction with low intensity shock waves. Disruptive Thinking The keynote lecturer for the WMSM 2018 was Tim Urban, co-founder, writer and illustrator of ‘Wait But Why’ website and author of the most watched TED Talk in 2016, about procrastina- tion. Tim explained how thinking outside the paradigms can contribute to the future of Sexual Medicine. The motto of her conference at WMSM 2018 was a discussion of popular wisdom about Sexual Medicine. How is it possible to demys- tify wrong concepts which are culturally rooted? According to his thoughts, if we move into a world in which everyone is aware of their sex- ual health and this becomes a matter openly discussed, the change will unfold much more quickly. If the way of passing the message, whether oral or written, is fun and interesting, people pay more attention, they will seek to know more and share this message. Tim loves to take on complex subjects and treat them in a simple way. In his presentation at this WMSM he cleared the idea of the difference between the cooks and the chefs. It may seem simple, but it has a more complex thinking behind it. However, when one realizes the concept, that is, following recipes instead of playing with the ingredients, Opening Ceremony