Gender dysphoria is when a person’s gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth. Some people with gender dysphoria choose to transition to align with their gender identity, which may sometimes include surgery like vaginoplasty (the surgical creation of a neovagina). There are different techniques for this surgery, but it is still not clear how they affect sexual satisfaction.

COVID-19, an illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2, has been a major health challenge worldwide. Despite efforts like vaccines, the virus continues to spread, and experts believe it will move from an epidemic to an endemic phase (meaning a long-lasting, regularly occurring disease in society).

Low libido is a common sexual health complaint among women, and it may become even more common as women age. Midlife and older women may experience low libido due to changes in their hormone levels, menopause symptoms, changes in their relationships, changes in their self-perception with regard to aging and sexuality, and/or an increase in sleep problems, depression, or anxiety.

Functional anorectal pain (FARP) is a condition in which people feel pain in their anus or lower rectum. An estimated 2-5% of people have chronic anal pain, and 8% experience sudden rectal pain. However, many people with FARP don’t tell doctors about it, so the actual number might be higher.

Capacity to love refers to a person’s ability to form strong emotional connections and care deeply for others. It involves empathy, understanding, and a willingness to invest time and effort into nurturing relationships. This capacity varies among individuals and can be influenced by upbringing, experiences, and personal traits.

For more than 30 years, the medical procedure LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure), including LLETZ (large loop excision of the transformation zone), has been used to treat cervical problems that might lead to cancer.

Having a slight curve in one’s penis is normal, and it is not necessarily cause for alarm. However, if the curve is so severe that it prevents the individual from having penetrative sex, it may be a sign of a medical condition. One medical condition that causes penile curvature is Peyronie’s disease (PD). PD can develop when scar tissue forms below the skin of the penis, making it bend during erections.

Sexual script theory suggests that sexual behavior follows a script on a cultural, interpersonal, and individual level. In partnered sexual activities, a sexual script outlines which sexual behaviors are appropriate and/or expected in each situation, including the types of sexual activity, the person who performs them, and the order in which activities are performed.

It is natural for a person’s sexual desire to fluctuate over the course of their lifetime and/or in response to certain life events (e.g., pregnancy, changes in a romantic relationship, big life transitions, etc.) Nevertheless, having consistently low or absent sexual desire with no identifiable cause can be a frustrating problem for individuals that may be consistent with a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Delayed ejaculation (DE) is a condition in which it takes an individual an unusually long period of time to ejaculate during partnered sexual activity. Some people with DE may find that they are unable to ejaculate at all during partnered sexual activity.

Vulvodynia is a distressing medical condition that is defined as vulvar pain that lasts for at least three months without an identifiable cause. People with vulvodynia often describe their symptoms as burning, itching, cutting, stinging, and lacerating. They may experience difficulty or pain with sexual activity, tampon insertion, gynecological examinations, and urination.

Gender minority individuals, including transgender people, experience higher rates of mental health problems than the general public. Discrimination, violence, and the enduring stigma around gender diversity can all contribute to the increased rate of mental health problems in the gender diverse community. This phenomenon is known in some circles as gender minority stress.