We're thrilled to announce Professor Giovanni Corona as the new Editor-in-Chief for Sexual Medicine Open Access (SMOA), effective October 1st, 2025!                             

With a background in endocrinology and andrology and more than 20 years experience in the field, Professor Corona brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to advancing sexual medicine. 

Throughout his career, Professor Corona has received prestigious awards from the European Society for Sexual Medicine and the International Society of Andrology. In 2015, he was quoted as one of the top 30 European researchers by the Lab Times and was also included in 2020 among the 100,000 most important scientists in the world. He co-authored more than 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and invited reviews in the field of endocrinology and sexual medicine.

Professor Corona has ben actively involved in several sexual medicine and related journals and has served on numerous scientific committees for both the ISSM and ESSM, as well as other important scientific societies.  Professor Corona has just completed his presidency of the ESSM for which he served between 2022 and 2024.

Professor Corona brings forward a strong vision to advance the journal to the next level, focusing on engaging the next generation of sexual medicine professionals, bringing hot topics to the scientific community and curating regionally relevant content whilst creating a truly global impact of the journal.

Please join us in welcoming Professor Corona to his new role! Together, we look forward to continuing to advance and innovate within Open Access publishing, under Professor Corona’s leadership.

For more information and to access all ISSM Journals, visit: https://www.issm.info/publications

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes most or all of the uterus, and sometimes the fallopian tubes and ovaries as well. It may be done for a variety of reasons, including severe endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic pain, and cancer. The average age of women that receive a hysterectomy is around 50, and depending on the type of surgery, menopause may start immediately. Alternatively, women who get a hysterectomy may already be going through menopause. Both cases can affect overall sexual functioning, whether in positive or negative ways.

Bariatric surgery essentially translates to weight loss surgery and is most commonly one of two types: gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. Surgery is typically recommended when diet and exercise haven’t been working, or when there are serious health problems due to obesity. Obesity is a disease categorized by body mass index (BMI); typically, bariatric surgeries are recommended for obesity class III (BMI 40 or over), otherwise known as extreme obesity. Otherwise, if BMI is around 35 and there are other serious weight-related problems (such as diabetes or heart problems), then bariatric surgery may be suggested.

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a disorder in the penile tunica albuginea, which is just under the skin of the penis and surrounds the tissue that creates and maintains erections. It can cause penile deformity, namely curvature, and pain, and can negatively impact quality of life. This could be due to curvature severity, loss of length or girth, and even erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is quite common in patients with PD, ranging from 31.5% - 54.4% of patients in existing literature.

“Death Grip Syndrome”, as it is commonly referred to, is a slang term referring to the overall desensitization of the penis due to frequent and rigorous masturbation, often with a lot of pressure being placed on the penis. Men in online communities often share they feel as though their penis is “broken”, “dead”. They have also expressed they have a hard time orgasming or feeling sensation and pleasure from masturbation or other sexual activity. However, this situation is not currently recognized in the medical community, resulting in a lack of research or resources.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is categorized as a progressive chronic inflammatory disorder that negatively impacts both physical and mental health, with around 2.8 million individuals affected globally. It has been found that sexual dysfunction occurs in males with MS (MwMS) nine times more frequently than with any other neurological disease. In fact, many MwMS see sexual dysfunction as the most detrimental part of their disease, which then negatively impacts other aspects of their health and quality of life. It has been suggested in previous research that a combination of psychological, physical, and social factors may contribute to the onset of sexual dysfunction. Namely, the presence of disability, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances can cause erectile dysfunction.

Gender dysphoria, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is defined as a “marked incongruence between a person's experienced or expressed gender and the one they were assigned at birth.” While not every transgender or gender diverse individual may experience gender dysphoria, those who do may have difficulties in public spaces, such as work or school, due to social norms and behavioral expectations associated with their assigned sex. Overarching effects of gender dysphoria can include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and relationship problems.

The ISSM Global Outreach Grant is now accepting
applications for projects aimed at improving awareness and knowledge of sexual health in underserved regions,
with up to $10,000 in funding available.

Full ISSM members or affiliated society members with no commercial interest are encouraged to apply by the
1 May 2025 deadline. 

Read more

Beta blockers, most commonly used for heart problems and hypertension (low blood pressure), have notoriously been problematic for the erectile function of biological males, often increasing the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), which is defined as the inability to maintain an erection long enough to engage in a satisfactory sexual experience and is a common issue in male sexual medicine.

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of whole body and mind well-being regarding sexuality and sexual relationships, which should be approached with positivity and respect as well as have the possibility of more pleasurable and safe sexual experiences free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. This entails:

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in biological males, affecting a significant population and usually increasing in prevalence with age. Previous studies have shown that physical activity can help with erectile function; aerobic exercises and activities can enhance vascular function, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow, which all contribute to good erectile function. However, aerobic activities are not accessible for every individual and may be more difficult to do, especially as men age. Walking is accessible, simple, and free, making it a good exercise to incorporate into daily routines and potentially improve erectile function.

Provoked vulvodynia is pain felt in the vulva for at least three months without a known cause. This can be triggered by touch or pressure in the vulva, possibly from both sexual and non-sexual stimuli. According to a 2019 study, about 10% of individuals across Europe are affected by provoked vulvodynia, which often results in pain during intercourse.