Happy "Spring" Everyone - the weather has been strange in the Washington, DC, area, but we finally had a few nice days in a row.
We've been so busy getting the practice up and running that I haven’t sent out an update in a while. I hope to be more consistent in bringing you helpful information.
I am so proud to say that we've been open and helping people for 3 months!
Our mission is to spend time with our patients and work in a multidisciplinary framework to maximize quality of life and sexual health concerns. We are seeing individuals and couples of all genders, and I believe we're making a real difference!
If you are waiting a long time for your first visit with me, I am really sorry. I made this video to explain why my initial visit takes so long. Watch video here.
To stay up-to-date on the latest from our practice, I recommend following me on twitter, instagram and facebook.
Welcome Andrea - New Member of our Team!
I’m thrilled to welcome Andrea Martin DNP, CRNP, WHNP, to our practice and hope you get to meet her soon.
Andrea is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner, which enables her to offer reproductive and sexual health care to all genders. She has Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees in nursing science.
Her nursing experience includes gynecology, urogynecology, and sexual medicine.
Andrea has always been acutely aware of the many shortcomings of the healthcare system and is a fierce patient advocate. She strives to provide an atmosphere of approachability and trust and looks forward to providing exceptional care. In her free time she enjoys caring for her two dogs and two cats as well as cross-stitching nerdy medical humor designs.
Pelvic Health Clinic
Our multidisciplinary pelvic health clinic has been a huge success.
This is a comprehensive 2 hour consultation with myself (urology/sexual medicine), Reshma Rathod (pelvic floor physical therapist) and Aninna Burns (nutritionist).
Our next opening for this clinic is June 24, 2022. Schedule now as spots are limited and fill up quickly!
Watch a recent webinar about our approach.
Research Opportunity - Calling volunteers
We are looking for participants in an anonymous survey for a study on patient’s experience with chronic pelvic/vulvar/vaginal pain conditions.
Help us advance the field of evidence-based sexual medicine!
Book Club: What I’m reading
I am finishing up a powerful book called The Body Keeps the Score. Written in 2015, it’s a deep dive into the science and treatments of trauma.
I am a big believer that people are not just diagnoses, but rather are uniquely rich beings with stories, stresses, traumas, and individualized needs.
I love how the book goes into many different modalities of healing like yoga, EMDR, mindfulness, and animal therapy.
Two quotes from the book that stuck with me:
"No doctor can write a prescription for friendship and love."
"Communicating fully is the opposite of trauma."
Perhaps one day we can offer goat therapy at the office!
Next up on my reading list is a new book by author Rachel Gross called Vagina Obscura about how little we know about the female body parts and how we got here.
Check out a recent New York Times book review here.
Research, Advocacy & Education
Teaching other clinicians about sexual medicine and mentoring students is a priority for me. I was lucky to be faculty at this year's ISSWSH (International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health) annual meeting.
I was also so proud to support a number of students who presented our growing body of research, including our new data on clitoral adhesions, which we have submitted for publication.
Read more about our data on clitoral adhesions here.
Recent News and Media
Check out a few recent podcast recordings where I talk all things sexual medicine: erectile dysfunction, menopause, low libido, pelvic pain, vestibulodynia, and more.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities for Providers
American Urological Association Annual Meeting: Current Urologic Management of Female Sexual Dysfunction
May 14, 2022 at 7:30
Virtual NPWH/ISSWSH Essentials of Female Sexual Health Course
June 2, 2022 8:30am-5:45pm
Family
Hug your loved ones close. I love my job, but I couldn't do it without a supportive husband and healthy children. I am so grateful to be around for activities, the occasional school pick up, art projects, and board games.
- More to come -
Rachel Rubin, MD
Urologist and Sexual Medicine Specialist
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