ESSM Newsletter # 40

4 ESSM Today What’s new? News from the Scientific Committee of the European Society for Sexual Medicine studied. The ESSM emphasized the main flaws in the current knowledge of the field providing clinicians with a practical decision-making guide for patients experiencing sexual side effects or consulting for contraception. Another hot topic related to the female sexual function field deals with the use of “Energy- based Devices (including laser and radiofre- quency) vaginal applications for genito-urinary indications” This issue has been addressed by the “New developments section”. Limited pre- clinical evidence has documented that laser and radiofrequency vaginal applications can induce different histological effects on the vaginal mucosal layers. However, the depth of penetrations, the duration of cellular response and the exact underlying mechanisms of ac- tions have still not been completely clarified. Evidence-based effects of the use of these devices on different genitourinary conditions including vulvovaginal symptoms of genitouri- nary syndrome of menopause, vaginal laxity and stress urinary incontinence have been reviewed providing recommendations for the use of these instruments in the field of sexual medicine. “Sexual desire discrepancy” indicates a condition when two partners in an intimate relationship desire different levels or a dif- ferent frequency of sexual activity. Although this concept was introduced decades ago and is likely as prevalent in today’s sexual relationships, research on this topic is scanty. The “Sexology” section specifically addressed this important and neglected issue identifying theoretical and methodological gaps, setting priorities for future research, and making sug- gestions for therapeutic intervention. The “New technologies and sexual function” sub-committee specifically evaluated the con- tribution of “e-health” intended as the use of information and communications technology for health in the field of Sexual Medicine ad- dressing the role of social media in human mating behavior, the influence of electronic entertainment and sexually explicit media on sexual function, and the possible benefit of using the internet as a tool for better data acquisition in a “big data” approach. Finally, the “Transgender section” covered an- other interesting topic related to “Assessment and hormonal management in adolescent and adult trans people: A focus on sexual func- tion and satisfaction”. Although, the Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health have provided guide- lines for gender-affirming endocrine treat- ment, the specific impact of hormonal treat- ment on sexual function and satisfaction is still poorly investigated. The ESSM performed a systematic review of the available literature specifically evaluating the impact of available treatments on sexual function and satisfaction. The annual ESSM meeting is approaching, our President, Yacov Reisman, and me, hope to see all of you in Ljubljana enjoying the con- gress and the city, and participating in the ESSM Statements discussion. EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR SEXUAL MEDICINE The 22 nd Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine will be held from 6 – 8 February 2020 in Rotterdam The Netherlands www.essm.org SAVE THE DATE