The (ISSM) decided in 1984 that it should recognize cutting‐edge research with awards at the biennial meetings. The “Jean François Ginestié Prize” first awarded in 1984, of 15.000 French francs (± US$ 2,500), was funded by the family of this French pioneer in the field of ED (he did the first arteriographies of the pudendal arteries). This prize awarded the best paper on basic science. The Fund was terminated in 2014 and replaced by various ISSM Awards.
Introduction
The field of sexual medicine has been well represented by ISSM and its precursor organizations since the first symposium on corpora cavernosa revascularization in 1978.
The society established its first By-Laws in 1992 and thus a structured society devoted to the science of sexual medicine came into being.
In the years after that it became the central international organization with regional affiliates from around the world and from the dominant sexual scientific society for women.
Through its biennial Meeting and the establishment of its family of journals the science of sexual medicine in women and men has been presented to the world. This work not only includes the professionals involved in basic and clinical work in the field but also for those patients who suffer from sexual dysfunctions.
The emphasis on all of the different disciplines involved in sexual medicine have been a strength of this society. It truly has become the leader in the field of sexual medicine.
Click here for A Comprehensive History of Injection Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction, 1982-2023 published by Dr. Ronald W. Lewis, Hartmut Porst, Irwin Goldstein and Ronal Virag in Sexual Medicine Reviews, April 2024.
Click here for a Comprehensive History of the International Society for Sexual Medicine published by Dr. Ronald W. Lewis, in Sexual Medicine Reviews, August, 2021.
Click here for a Comprehensive History of the International Society for Sexual Medicine-Journals and Communication published by Dr. Ronald W. Lewis, in Sexual Medicine Reviews, July, 2021.
The founders of the ISSM
Three men could legitimately be called the founders of the current International Society of Sexual Medicine in 1978.
Vaclav Michal, Czechoslovakia (a vascular surgeon, who noted that men he had operated on for lower limb vascular blockage reported an improvement in their erectile function. He subsequently proposed a micro-revascularization directly to the corpora cavernosa.
Adrian Zorgniotti, USA (the chairman of urology at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. On becoming aware of this work and that of other pioneers’ work on new approaches to impotence, he organized a meeting in New York City at his institution in late September and early October of 1978. Adrian continued to be one of the organizers for the society's early Meeting and was a consummate clinician in the practice of diagnosing and treating erectile dysfunction.
Gorm Wagner, Denmark (an excellent researcher in this field, including female sexual function and psychological aspects of sexual disorders.)
Informed of his work in the field of sexual medicine, Adrian invited Gorm to join as a participant at the 1978 meeting. That pairing, of the organizer and the scientist, resulted in the 2 of them being responsible for several ensuing biennial Meeting.
History of ISSM over the years
1978
1978
In New York, USA, the First Annual Meeting under the name of International Conferences on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization was organized by the founders Vaclav Michal (Czechoslovakia), Adrian Zorgniotti (U.S.A.) and Gorm Wagner (Denmark). Major hosts: Adrian Zorgniotti and Giuseppe Rossi.
Jean François Ginestié, MD, from Montpellier (France), had published a book called “Radiological Exploration of Impotence” with A. Romieu, MD, as coauthor. In this book, they described a series of arteriograms of penile vasculature that met the standards of modern arteriography. In a time when collimators were not available, they used sandbags to produce excellent and accurate images of the arterial supply of the penis. (Jean François Ginestié, MD suddenly died in January 1979).
Michal mentioned that Ginestié was the first to carry out a selective arteriography of the arterial bed supplying the cavernous bodies and to show some forms of narrowing and occlusion of these arteries. His most valuable contribution in this particular area is the detection and correct interpretations of malformations and dysplasia of the arteries of the penis, which explains some cases of primary impotence.
1978
1980
1980
In Monte Carlo, Monaco, the Second International Symposium on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization was organized. Major hosts: Adrian Zorgniotti and Gorm Wagner
Ismet Karacan (left), one of 2 special guests at the second meeting in 1980 in Monaco- expert in nocturnal erections associated with REM sleep from Houston, and Ronald Virag, vascular surgeon from Paris, host of fourth biennial meeting and developer of penis revascularization procedure. (Dr. Karacan died in 2009.)
1982
1982
In Copenhagen, Denmark, the Third International Symposium on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization took place. Major host: Gorm Wagner
At this meeting, the group decided on a name for the organization, the International Society for Impotence Research (ISIR), and the idea of an international biennial forum was solidified for the field.
1982
1984
1984
In Paris, France, the First World Meeting on Impotence Research took place. Major host: Ronald Virag
The meeting in Paris was the first meeting under the new name and included a program booklet, called proceedings of the First World Meeting on Impotence was issued including 12 chapters with 69 articles on the following subjects: epidemiology and risk factors; physiology and histology; psychoneuroendocrinology; nocturnal penile tumescence and measurement of penile rigidity; evaluation of vasculogenic impotence; venous impotence; intracavernous injection of vasoactive drugs; diabetes and impotence; Peyronie's disease and penile curvature; impotence and vascular surgery; surgical treatment of impotence; and miscellaneous.
1984
1984
The ISIR (ISSM) decided in 1984 that it should recognize cutting‐edge research with awards at the biennial meetings. The “Jean François Ginestié Prize” first awarded in 1984, of 15.000 French francs (± US$ 2,500), was funded by the family of this French pioneer in the field of ED (he did the first arteriographies of the pudendal arteries). This prize awarded the best paper on basic science. The Fund was terminated in 2014.
Herbert Newman- winner of the first Ginestie Prize in Paris, 1984, whose wife sponsored a new award for the best clinical paper presented at the biennial meeting, the award changed to Zorgniotti/Newman Prize after the former's death.
1984
1986
1986
In Prague, Czechoslovakia, The Fifth Symposium on Corpus Cavernosum Revascularization and The Second World Meeting on Impotence took place. Major host: Vaclav Michal
Penile injection therapy for ED was highlighted at both the Paris (1984) and Prague (1986) meetings. At the 1984 meeting, there were only five presentations dealing with intracavernosal pharmacological injection for diagnosis and treatment of impotence, but in the subsequent 1986 and 1988 meetings there were over 45 presentations of the same subject.
1988
1988
In Boston, USA, the World Meeting on Impotence Research took place.
Major hosts: Robert Krane and Irwin Goldstein
Irwin Goldstein with Gorm Wagner and Adrian Zorgniotti at 1988 biennial meeting in Boston hosted by Drs. Krane and Goldstein.
For the first time during this meeting a proceedings booklet was prepared for the meeting which contained all the abstracts presented.
At this meeting Dr. Newman's widow donated money for a Herbert F. Newman Prize to be presented for an outstanding original work on any investigational project presented at the meeting concerning erectile dysfunction.
1988
1988
1988
The “Zorgniotti‐Newman Prize” first awarded in 1988 of US$ 1,000, is funded with the “Zorgniotti Research Fund,” itself funded by voluntary donations of the ISSM members, as well as by a donation of the Dutch organizers of the 8th Biennial ISIR Meeting from the profits of this Congress. It honors two other famous pioneers in the field of ED, both founders of the ISIR, and awards the best clinical paper.
1989
1989
Just 11 years from the first meeting in New York City, a journal was started, with the first editors being Dr. Gorm Wagner from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Bill Furlow from Nashville, Tennessee, USA. They served as coeditors in chief from 1989 to 1992. The journal was entitled The International Journal of Impotence Research (IJIR), with a subtitle of “Basic and Clinical Studies,” and was published and owned by Smith‐Gordon & Co., Ltd, of London. This began as a four‐times‐per‐year publication.
William Furlow, one of 2 special guests at the second meeting in Monaco meeting in 1980 and one of the first co-editor-in-chiefs of our journal, International Journal of Impotence Research.
1989
1990
1990
Rio de Janeiro, World Meeting on Impotence Research
Major hosts: Pedro Puech-Leao and Sydney Glina
1990
1990
The “Poster Prize” first awarded in 1990 of US$1,000, awards the best poster.
1990
1992
1992
Milan, World Meeting on Impotence Research
Major host: Eduardo Austoni
The name of the association ISIR, was formally adopted in the bylaws during the World Meeting on Impotence Research.
On the first day of this biennial meeting in Milano, on September 14, 1991 bylaws were presented and adopted by the members of the society, which now formally was registered as the ISIR with 3 categories of memberships: Active, Honorary and Senior memberships. This was also the start of an Executive Committee consisting of a President, for a 2-year term who could be re-elected to after 2 years; the past presidents of the society as ex officio members; a Secretary/Treasurer, for a term of 4 years and then eligible for nomination for President; and 4 executive committee members, elected for 4-year terms.
1992
1992
In 1992, Bill Furlow resigned as coeditor in chief of IJIR and was replaced by Dr. Arnold Melman, who was to serve along with Dr. Wagner until 2002, leaving the journal with an impact factor of 2.7.
1992
1994
1994
Singapore World Meeting on Impotence Research
Major host: Ganesan Adaiken
Dr. Ganesan Adaikan, developed a plan for sharing of profits from this meeting with the ISIR.
Dr. Robert Krane from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, was elected president at the 1994 meeting in Singapore. He worked to develop the ISIR as a parent organization for the developing regional organization (ESSIR/ESSM = founded 1995, SSI/SSR/SMSNA = founded 1994, SLAI/SLAMS = founded 1990, APPIR/APSSM = founded 1987, ASIR/ASSM = founded 1997).
1995
1995
In 1995, the IJIR was purchased from Smith‐Gordon & Co. by Stockton‐Press. Stockton‐Press was merged with Nature Publication Group in 2000, and thus came into ownership by this publisher.
1995
1996
1996
San Francisco, World Meeting on Impotence Research
Major host: Tom Lue
It was decided to allocate a portion of the profits from the meeting for the specific purpose of sponsoring a new award—the Tanagho Prize.
1998
1998
In Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the World Meeting on Impotence Research took place.
Major host: Eric Meuleman
Eric Meuleman (Host of 1998 biennial meeting in Amsterdam and first standalone Treasurer of the Society- 2000–2006) and Robert Krane (President of the society 1994-1998) and one of the hosts of the biennial meeting in 1998 held in Boston. During Dr. Krane's tenure the establishment of regional sexual medicine organizations affiliated with the ISIR. Dr. Krane passed away on November 17, 2001.
The Dutch group after the 1998 meeting made a donation of $75,000 to the Adrian Zorgniotti Research Fund of the International Society of Impotence Research.
Status Plus became the official business office of the society.
1998
1998
1998
In August 1998, Jacques Buvat, as editor, presented the first issue of the News Bulletin of the ISIR. This would serve more as a news‐type communication of the happenings and events and meetings of the parent ISSIR as well as affiliates. Information was provided by officers of the affiliated organization, and many summaries of meetings regarding sexual medicine made up the content of this publication.
1998
1998
The “Tanagho Prize” first awarded in 1998 of US$ 1,000, is funded with the “Tanagho Fund,” made up of the benefits of the San Francisco ISIR Meeting (1996). It awards the best innovative research.
1998
1999
1999
The 1st International Consultation on Erectile Dysfunction was organized by Dr. Saad Khoury and occurred in Paris, France, in July 1999. This was co-sponsored by three organizations: the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Society for Impotence Research (ISSIR), and the Societe' Internationale de Urologie (SIU).
The mission of this meeting was to develop recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation and management of ED.
A book was published after this first international consultation.
2000
2000
In 2000, Dr. Sidney Glina, as president of the ISSIR, established a website committee. Jacques Buvat was named chairman of this committee, and in issue 7 of the News Bulletin, the website administrator, Alexander Gilbert, presented the new design of the website.
In September 2000, Dr. Buvat with Dr. Christian Fossat launched the ISIR list (at present the ISSM Discussion Forum).
2000
2000
2000
Perth, World Meeting on Impotence Research
Major hosts: Carolyn Earle and Bronwyn Stuckey
The name of the organization was changed to the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research (ISSIR), a bridging name between the old and the new final name.
The first session on female sexual dysfunction was made part of the scientific program.
2002
2002
Montreal, World Conference of the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research
Major host: Jeremy Heaton
The biennial meeting became known as the World Conference of the International Society for Sexual and Impotence Research and later the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM)
2002
2002
2002
A Female Sexual Dysfunction prize was announced for the 2002 Biennial Meeting in Montreal, Canada.
2003
2003
In 2003, Irwin Goldstein assumed the office of editor in chief of the IJIR after the newly appointed publication committee headed by John Pryor of London.
In 2003, it was decided by the leadership of the ISSIR that the journal would be better suited for ownership by the society. An attempt was made to inquire about the sale of the current IJIR to the ISSIR, but Nature Publication Group was not interested in this offer.
2003
2004
2004
The 2nd International Consultation on Sexual Dysfunction was held in Paris in 2004.
This addressed sexual medicine and sexual dysfunction in men and women. The editors of the published book included prominent members of the ISSM: Tom Lue, Ray Rosen, Francois Giulanio, and Francois Montorsi.
This meeting was cosponsored by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases, the International Society of Urology, and the ISSIR.
2004
2004
In March of 2004, the publication committee and the ISSIR board met in Amsterdam with three potential publishing partners: Taylor and Francis, Elsevier, and Blackwell. The ISSIR then entered into a contract with Blackwell Publishing House to publish a new journal to be the Journal of Sexual Medicine. ISSIR would retain ownership of this journal, and Blackwell would be the publishing partner. The entire editorial team of the IJIR moved to the new journal, and this became the official journal of the ISSIR, and subsequently ISSM and all of the five regional affiliates (APSIR, ASSIR, ESSM, SLAIS, SMSNA).
In addition, in 2006, the journal became the official journal of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health.
2004
2004
2004
Buenos Aires, World Conference of the ISSM
Major Host: Edgardo Becher
It was decided that our own business office Status Plus would be more efficient to run future meetings, and the first of such was held in Buenos Aries, run by Status Plus and hosted by Eduardo Becher in 2004. At this meeting, the official name of the society was changed to the International Society for Sexual Medicine.
A similar change had occurred prior to this by two of our affiliated organizations, the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) and The Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA).
2005
2005
The African Society for Sexual and Impotence Research changed its name to the Africa Gulf Society for Sexual Medicine (AGSSM).
2005
2006
2006
In Cairo, Egypt, the World Conference of the ISSM was organized. Major Host: Khaled Dabees
During Jacques Buvat's term as president of the ISSM (2000-2002), he had the vision to create a standards committee. The committee, under the leadership of Dr. Harmut Porst, Germany and the co-chairman of the standards committee, Jacques Buvat, took on a Herculean task of developing a book as a report product of this committee's effort to update current knowledge and present standards in the field of sexual medicine for both genders. This 28‐chapter volume was published in 2006 and represents “a focused consonance between clinical problems and contemporary scientific literature”.
2007
2007
The impact factor for The Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2007 was 6.199, making JSM the second most highly ranked journal of the 55 journals in the urology/nephrology group (behind only the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology). It was the first ranked journal among all journals in urology and sexual medicine.
2007
2007
2007
Under the leadership and presidency of Ira Sharlip, a meeting of 21 of the world's top experts in premature ejaculation (PE) was convened in October of 2007 in Amsterdam for the purpose of developing a contemporary evidence‐based definition of PE.
2008
2008
Brussels - Joint Conference with ESSM
It was decided that the biennial meetings would be joint meetings with regional affiliated societies.
2008
2008
2008
Through the leadership of Dr. Goldstein, The Journal of Sexual Medicine rapidly became the most dominant journal in sexual medicine. It became a monthly journal in 2008.
2009
2009
The 3rd International Consultation on Sexual Medicine was held in Paris, France, in July 2009.
A book was not printed from this meeting but was available online. The editors of that online publication were Francesco Montorsi, R. Basson, G. Adiakan, E. Becher, A. Clayton, F. Guiliano, S. Curry, and I. Sharlip. Evidence‐based data analysis was stressed at this third meeting.
2009
2010
2010
Seoul - World Conference of the ISSM
Major host: Je Jong Kim, Chairman Organizing Committee
A very difficult decision of ending affiliation with the AGSSM was made under the presidency of John Dean. With help from the ISSM, a new society, Middle East Society for Sexual Medicine, was founded, with Amr El‐Meliegy as its first president in August 2010.
2011
2011
The last printed issue of the ISSM News Bulletin was issue 33, published in January 2011.
2011
2011
2011
In summer of 2011, the ISSM and the SMSNA cohosted a program in Washington, DC, USA, entitled “Cancer Survivorship in Sexual Health Symposium.” The cochairmen of this meeting were Luca Incrocci and Gregory A. Broderick.
2012
2012
In 2012, the ESSM and ISSM collaborated as equal partners in support of the 6th School of Sexual Medicine, which are held in Oxford, England, for 2 weeks each year. The ISSM also provided 10 scholarships to support attendance at the school of sexual medicine.
2012
2012
2012
Chicago - Joint Conference with SMSNA
2012
2012
It was decided in 2012 and 2013 that it may very well be time to spin off the very large Journal of Sexual Medicine into a three publication format to be owned by the ISSM. It was decided in 2012 that a second journal publication would be the Sexual Medicine Reviews with Culley Carson from North Carolina, USA, being selected as the first editor. This journal will be a journal that invites state‐of‐the‐art reviews in the field of sexual medicine.
The third journal will be an online‐only journal with virtual issues being periodically placed together as virtual issues online. The editor of this journal will be Dr. Alan Shindel from Davis, California, USA. The new journal is to be called Sexual Medicine. These two spin‐off publications will publish their first papers in 2013.
2012
2013
2013
An international symposium on prostate, androgens, and men's sexual health took place in July 2013 in Berlin, Germany, jointly shared by ISSM and ESSM.
2014
2014
Sao Paulo Joint Conference with SLAMS
2014
2014
2014
The Jean François Ginestié Prize ended in 2014. This fund was initiated to award the best paper on basic science on sexual medicine worth USD 2500.
2016
2016
Beijing Joint Conference with APSSM
2016
2016
2016
Sexual Medicine edited by Kwangsung Park received the first impact factor of 1.188.
2018
2018
Lisbon Joint Conference with ESSM
2018
2020
2020
Yokohama Japan-Postponed to a virtual meeting in 2021 because of pandemic
2021
2021
It was decided to establish the ISSM Mental Health Prize for the best paper on psychology/behavioral health. This prize will be awarded at the virtual meeting on Sexual Medicine in 2021.
2021
2021
2021
Ronald W. Lewis, Chair of the ISSM History Committee published a Comprehensive History of the International Society for Sexual Medicine-Journals and Communication
(Published by Dr. Ronald W. Lewis, in Sexual Medicine Reviews, July, 2021)
2021
2021
Ronald W. Lewis, Chair of the ISSM History Committee published a Comprehensive History of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.
Link to publication: Published by Dr. Ronald W. Lewis, in Sexual Medicine Reviews, August, 2021.
2021
2021
2021 Awards
The ISSM has initiated the ISSM Excellence in Research and ISSM Rising Star Awards to recognize members who make significant contributions to research in sexual medicine. These awards honor both emerging researchers and established experts in the field.
2021
2021
Sexual Medicine Reviews with Editor in Chief Irwin Goldstein received the first impact factor of 4.836.
2021
2022
2022 President Gerald Brock
Prof. Emeritus Gerald Brock (Canada) has become President of the ISSM.
2022
2022 WMSM Miami
The 23th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine in collaboration with SMSNA has been held in Miami (USA).
2022
2023
2023 WMSM Dubai
The 24th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine in collaboration with MESSM has been held in Dubai (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
2024
2024 WMSM
The 25th World Meeting on Sexual Medicine in collaboration with SLAMS has been held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
2024
Officers of the ISSM Executive Committee who have served in the ISSM
1984-1986
President
Vaclav Michal
1986-1988
President
Adrian Zorgniotti
1988-1994
President
Gorm Wagner
1994-1998
President
Robert Krane
1998-2000
President
Ronald W. Lewis
President Elect
Sydney Glina
Past President
Robert Krane
2000-2002
President
Sydney Glina
President Elect
Jacques Buvat
Past President
Ronald W. Lewis
2002-2004
President
Jacques Buvat
President Elect
P. Ganesan Adaikan
Past President
Sydney Glina
2004-2006
President
P. Ganesan Adaikan
President Elect
Ira Sharlip
Past President
Jacques Buvat
Secretary General
Edgardo Becher
Treasurer
Eric Meuleman
2006-2008
President
Ira Sharlip
President Elect
John Dean
Past President
P. Ganesan Adaikan
Secretary General
Edgardo Becher
Treasurer
Luca Incrocci
2008-2010
President
John Dean
President Elect
Edgardo Becher
Past President
Ira Sharlip
Secretary General
Wayne Hellstrom
Treasurer
Luca Incrocci
2010-2012
President
Edgardo Becher
President Elect
Chris McMahon
Past President
John Dean
Secretary General
Wayne Hellstrom
Treasurer
Luca Incrocci
2012-2014
President
Chris McMahon
President Elect
Wayne Hellstrom
Past President
Edgardo Becher
Secretary General
Luiz Otavio Torres
Treasurer
Luca Incrocci
2014-2016
President
Wayne Hellstrom
President Elect
Luca Incrocci
Past President
Chris McMahon
Secretary General
Luiz Otavio Torres
Treasurer
Annamaria Giraldi
2016-2018
President
Luca Incrocci
President Elect
Luiz Otavio Torres
Past President
Wayne Hellstrom
Secretary General
Gerald Brock
Treasurer
Annamaria Giraldi
2018-2020
President
Luiz Otavio Torres
President Elect
Annamaria Giraldi
Past President
Luca Incrocci
Secretary General
Gerald Brock
Treasurer
Arthur Burnett
2020-2022
President
Annamaria Giraldi
President Elect
Gerald Brock
Past President
Luiz Otavio Torres
Secretary General
Kwangsung Park
Treasurer
Arthur Burnett
2022-2024
President Elect
Run Wang
President Elect
Run Wang
President
Annamaria Giraldi
Secretary General
Kwangsung Park
Treasurer
Arthur Burnett
