Dear ISSM members,

As 2024 ends, I am sure that many of you have spent time with loved ones, gathered for holiday meals and special celebrations. It has been an extraordinary year for ISSM under the leadership of Dr. Gerald Brock. We witnessed the huge success of ICSM in Madrid and WMSM in Rio de Janeiro. The Movember project is also gaining momentum.

This would not be possible without your hard work and collective efforts. The ISSM Executive Committee are grateful to all of you, a remarkable team of 3,500+ ISSM members, for your steadfast dedication to our mission. Looking ahead to 2025, we will be embarking on many exciting projects, including the launch of the ISSM Future Leaders Program, publication of the recommendations from the ICSM, promoting awareness of prostate cancer and its impact on sexual health under the Movember project, and the continuing efforts of the surgical outreach program in underserved regions.

2025 will also be an unique year for ISSM since we will have two joint meetings: one with ISSWSH at the end of February in Atlanta, USA and another one with SASSM in September at Bangalore, India. I am looking forward to seeing you at these meetings for quality scientific exchanges and building warm friendships within the community. I wish you all a very successful and joyous new year. It will be a great honor and privilege to serve you as your ISSM president.

Run Wang, MD, FACS.

After giving birth, many individuals experience changes in their bodies, emotions, and relationships, including their sexual health. These changes are normal and often temporary, but they can feel overwhelming. Understanding the most common concerns and how to address them can help ease this transition.

When people think about sexual health, they often focus on the idea of orgasm as the ultimate goal of intimacy. However, recent discussions in the field of sexual medicine, including insights from a publication in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggest that sexual pleasure is a broader and equally important concept. This distinction may help reshape how we think about healthy sexuality.

Vaginal lubrication is essential for comfort, particularly during sexual activity. It reduces friction, prevents discomfort, and enhances pleasure. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, you’re not alone – many people encounter this at different stages of life. Understanding the causes and potential solutions can help you manage this issue effectively.

Introduction

Sexual motivation involves the brain’s emotional, thinking, and movement systems working together to drive actions like approaching or initiating sexual activity. Sexual arousal and lying can affect brain activity, which can be measured through motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). MEPs are signals recorded from muscles when specific brain areas, like the motor cortex, are stimulated using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses electromagnetic pulses to temporarily activate parts of the brain.

Diverse sexual practices, including BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, and Masochism), are more common than many realize. Studies show that over 30% of people have engaged in kink-related activities, and many have fantasies involving elements like bondage or power exchange. Central to BDSM is consent, with participants agreeing on activities beforehand to ensure safety and mutual enjoyment. However, some BDSM activities may carry risks, such as bruises or cuts, similar to injuries that can occur during non-BDSM sexual activities.

Sex drive, or libido, refers to a person’s desire for sexual activity. It’s a natural part of human biology, but the idea of what is “normal” can be complicated because everyone’s libido is influenced by unique factors like age, health, stress levels, and relationship dynamics. Rather than fitting into a rigid standard, normal sex drive is best understood as what feels right for an individual or a couple.

This message is to inform you that currently a fake email account for the ISSM President Gerald Brock is being used, requesting to respond to ‘help with some delegate logistics service matters on behalf of ISSM’ and 'assistance with a transfer of 3.750 Euros for a delegate travel support'.

Please note that this account is NOT an email account from the ISSM president and please do not reply or click on any links in this message. It is best to delete it directly. If you reply to the email, they will send you even more messages and try to get you convinced to transfer money. This method is called a smart form of phishing.

Phishing

Phishing is a form of online scamming using fake e-mails, websites or messages. How can you identify those fake e-mails and how can you distinguish them from real messages? Smart cybercriminals can really make you doubt. Here are a number of tips to help you assess whether or not you can trust a message.

The basic rule: Cyber criminals always try to abuse something you believe in or someone you trust. They also often try to use fear to achieve their ends. Do not get tricked!

Tips

Did you get a suspicious e-mail or phone call? Then answer these questions:

• Is it unexpected? - You received a message for no reason: you did not buy anything, have not had contact with them for a long time, etc. Investigate further.
• Is it urgent? - Stay calm: did you really get a first reminder to pay? Do you know that 'friend in need'?
• Do you know the person who sent the e-mail? - Check the e-mail address, and also check for spelling errors. However, beware: a legitimate e-mail address is no guarantee.
• Do you find the request strange? - An official body will never ask you for your password, bank details or personal details via e-mail, SMS or over the telephone.
• Where does the link you need to click on lead to? - Hover over the link with your mouse. Is the domain name, the word before “.be”, “.com”, “.eu”, “.org”, etc. and before the very first slash "/", really the organization’s name?
• Are you being personally addressed? - Be wary of messages using general and vague titles, or your e-mail address to address you.
• Does the message contain many linguistic errors? - Although seasoned cybercriminals tend to use language correctly, language errors or a foreign language can indicate a suspicious message.

If you are in doubt about emails you receive from ISSM (now or in the future) or have any questions/concerns, please always contact us through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at: +31 75 647 63 72.

Kind regards,

ISSM Secretariat

Sexual health is essential to overall well-being, yet healthcare providers often do not discuss it with patients, even when it may be relevant. Patients may hesitate to bring up sexual concerns due to worries about privacy, fear of offending or overstepping, doubts about the provider’s ability to handle the topic, or hoping the provider will address it if necessary. For people with anxiety disorders, these issues can be even more pronounced. Anxiety disorders are common globally and often correlate with sexual issues like lower satisfaction and increased dysfunction, which can negatively impact relationships and quality of life.

While the idea of a “broken penis” may seem like a far-fetched possibility, the term refers to a real and serious medical condition called a penile fracture. Unlike a bone fracture, this injury occurs in the soft tissue of the penis, and it typically happens when there’s a sudden, forceful bending of the erect penis. Studies show that this condition can be painful and, if not treated, can lead to long-term complications. Here’s what you need to know about how a penile fracture occurs, its symptoms, treatment options, and recovery.

Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery to alter the labia minora, or the inner folds of skin around the vaginal opening. It’s the most common type of female genital cosmetic surgery and is becoming more popular. Women might consider this procedure due to aesthetic concerns, physical discomfort (e.g., chafing or issues with tight clothing), psychological impacts (like low self-esteem or fear of judgment), and sexual concerns. Some reported sexual concerns related to labiaplasty include entry pain during sex (dyspareunia), reduced sexual satisfaction, and embarrassment about genital appearance, which can affect one’s sexual experiences and confidence.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) includes a range of conditions that can affect a woman’s sexual health and well-being. These issues are common and often treatable. Understanding the different types of FSD can help women recognize symptoms, seek help, and explore treatments that work for them. Here is an overview of the main types of FSD, along with possible treatment options.