Abstract
Urologists have led the basic science and clinical research of organic-based issues in male sexual dysfunction. Concerning scientific, evidence-based, biologic-focused information, the field of sexual dysfunction in women is relatively new compared with sexual dysfunction in men. Basic science, epidemiology, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment data on women’s sexual health issues are now more regularly published than ever before, with the urologic community once again leading the way. This article reviews some pioneering, resourceful, creative, and novel contributions that urologists have made to enhance the understanding of sexual dysfunction in women. As is obvious in infertility treatment, sexual medicine health care requires biologic and psychologic attention to both members of the couple. The goal of all sexual medicine health care providers is to provide the best health care delivery to women and men with sexual health concerns.
Similar content being viewed by others
References and Recommended Reading
Goldstein I: Female sexual dysfunction and the central nervous system. J Sex Med 2007, 4(Suppl 4):255–256.
Kingsberg S, Goldstein I: The journal of sexual medicine supports research and choice in women’s sexual health management. J Sex Med 2007, 4(Suppl 3):209–210.
Goldstein I: Addressing both genders in sexual medicine diagnosis and treatment. J Sex Med 2006, 3:949–951.
Greenstein A, Ben-Aroya Z, Fass O, et al.: Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and estrogen dose of oral contraceptive pills. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1679–1683.
Wimpissinger F, Stifter K, Grin W, Stackl W: The female prostate revisited: perineal ultrasound and biochemical studies of female ejaculate. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1388–1393.
Salonia A, Fabbri F, Zanni G, et al.: Chocolate and women’s sexual health: an intriguing correlation. J Sex Med 2006, 3:476–482.
Scott FB, Bradley WE, Timm GW: Management of erectile impotence. Use of implantable inflatable prosthesis. Urology 1973, 2:80–82.
Small MP, Carrion HM, Gordon JA: Small-carrion penile prosthesis. New implant for management of impotence. Urology 1975, 5:479–486.
Lewis R, Wagner G: History of the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM)—the beginnings. J Sex Med 2008, 5:740–745.
Coyne KS, Margolis MK, Jumadilova Z, et al.: Overactive bladder and women’s sexual health: what is the impact? J Sex Med 2007, 4:656–666.
Whitmore K, Siegel JF, Kellogg-Spadt S: Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as a cause of sexual pain in women: a diagnosis to consider. J Sex Med 2007, 4:720–727.
Coyne KS, Margolis MK, Brewster-Jordan J, et al.: Evaluating the impact of overactive bladder on sexual health in women: what is relevant? J Sex Med 2007, 4:124–136.
Smith KB, Tripp D, Pukall C, Nickel JC: Predictors of sexual and relationship functioning in couples with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. J Sex Med 2007, 4:734–744.
Garos S, Kluck A, Aronoff D: Prostate cancer patients and their partners: differences in satisfaction indices and psychological variables. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1394–1403.
Shindel A, Quayle S, Yan Y, et al.: Sexual dysfunction in female partners of men who have undergone radical prostatectomy correlates with sexual dysfunction of the male partner. J Sex Med 2005, 2:833–841.
Perelman MA: A new combination treatment for premature ejaculation: a sex therapist’s perspective. J Sex Med 2006, 3:1004–1012.
Goldstein I, Fisher WA, Sand M, et al.: Women’s sexual function improves when partners are administered vardenafil for erectile dysfunction: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Sex Med 2005, 2:819–832.
Edwards D, Hackett G, Collins O, Curram J: Vardenafil improves sexual function and treatment satisfaction in couples affected by erectile dysfunction (ED): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in PDE5 inhibitornaïve men with ED and their partners. J Sex Med 2006, 3:1028–1036.
Bain J, Brock G, Kuzmarov I, International Consulting Group: Canadian Society for the Study of the Aging Male: response to Health Canada’s position paper on testosterone treatment. J Sex Med 2007, 4:558–566.
Panzer C, Wise S, Fantini G, et al.: Impact of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen levels: a retrospective study in women with sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2006, 3:104–113.
Lue TF, Giuliano F, Montorsi F, et al.: Summary of the recommendations on sexual dysfunctions in men. J Sex Med 2004, 1:6–23.
Goldstein I: Current management strategies of the postmenopausal patient with sexual health problems. J Sex Med 2007, 4:235–253.
Goddard JC, Vickery RM, Terry TR: Development of feminizing genitoplasty for gender dysphoria. J Sex Med 2007, 4:981–989.
Sohn M, Bosinski HA: Gender identity disorders: diagnostic and surgical aspects. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1193–1207.
Onol FF, Ercan F, Tarcan T: The effect of ovariectomy on rat vaginal tissue contractility and histomorphology. J Sex Med 2006, 3:233–241.
Pessina MA, Hoyt RF Jr, Goldstein I, Traish AM: Differential regulation of the expression of estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors by sex steroid hormones in the vagina: immunohistochemical studies. J Sex Med 2006, 3:804–814.
Traish AM, Kim SW, Stankovic M, et al.: Testosterone increases blood flow and expression of androgen and estrogen receptors in the rat vagina. J Sex Med 2007, 4:609–619.
Uckert S, Ellinghaus P, Albrecht K, et al.: Expression of messenger ribonucleic acid encoding for phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in human female genital tissues. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1604–1609.
Uckert S, Oelke M, Albrecht K, et al.: Immunohistochemical description of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes in the human labia minora. J Sex Med 2007, 4:602–608.
Angulo J, Cuevas P, Cuevas B, et al.: Antidepressant-induced inhibition of genital vascular responses is reversed by vardenafil in female rabbits. J Sex Med 2006, 3:988–995.
Hatzimouratidis K, Hatzichristou D: Sexual dysfunctions: classifications and definitions. J Sex Med 2007, 4:241–250.
Smith LJ, Mulhall JP, Deveci S, et al.: Sex after seventy: a pilot study of sexual function in older persons. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1247–1253.
Shindel AW, Ferguson GG, Nelson CJ, Brandes SB: The sexual lives of medical students: a single institution survey. J Sex Med 2008, 5:796–803.
Bae JH, Han CS, Kang SH, et al.: Development of a Korean version of the female sexual distress scale. J Sex Med 2006, 3:1013–1017.
Kukkonen TM, Binik YM, Amsel R, Carrier S: Thermography as a physiological measure of sexual arousal in both men and women. J Sex Med 2007, 4:93–105.
Gruenwald I, Lowenstein L, Gartman I, Vardi Y: Physiological changes in female genital sensation during sexual stimulation. J Sex Med 2007, 4:390–394.
Toblli JE, Cao G, Casabé AR, Bechara AJ: Effects of ACE inhibition and beta-blockade on female genital structures in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1593–1603.
Guess MK, Connell K, Schrader S, et al.: Genital sensation and sexual function in women bicyclists and runners: are your feet safer than your seat? J Sex Med 2006, 3:1018–1027.
Elzevier HW, Nieuwkamer BB, Pelger RC, et al.: Female sexual function and activity following cystectomy and continent urinary tract diversion for benign indications: a clinical pilot study and review of literature. J Sex Med 2007, 4:406–416.
Elzevier HW, Putter H, Delaere KP, et al.: Female sexual function after surgery for stress urinary incontinence: transobturator suburethral tape vs. tension-free vaginal tape obturator. J Sex Med 2008, 5:400–406.
Traish A, Guay AT, Spark RF, Testosterone Therapy in Women Study Group: Are the Endocrine Society’s Clinical Practice Guidelines on Androgen Therapy in Women misguided? A commentary. J Sex Med 2007, 4:1223–1234.
Pfaus J, Giuliano F, Gelez H: Bremelanotide: an overview of preclinical CNS effects on female sexual function. J Sex Med 2007, 4(Suppl 4):269–279.
Song SH, Jeon H, Kim SW, et al.: The prevalence and risk factors of female sexual dysfunction in young Korean women: an internet-based survey. J Sex Med 2008 Apr 15 (Epub ahead of print).
Hayes RD, Dennerstein L, Bennett CM, et al.: Risk factors for female sexual dysfunction in the general population: exploring factors associated with low sexual function and sexual distress. J Sex Med 2008 Apr 11 (Epub ahead of print).
Mulhall J, King R, Glina S, Hvidsten K: Importance of and satisfaction with sex among men and women worldwide: results of the global better sex survey. J Sex Med 2008, 5:788–795.
Hayes RD, Dennerstein L, Bennett CM, Fairley CK: What is the “true” prevalence of female sexual dysfunctions and does the way we assess these conditions have an impact? J Sex Med 2008, 5:777–787.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goldstein, I. Sexual dysfunction in women: What can urologists contribute?. Curr Urol Rep 9, 475–482 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-008-0081-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-008-0081-5