top of page
Search

What are medical students taught about female sexual medicine? New research shows...not much.

Writer's picture: Rachel RubinRachel Rubin


Research is so important. I find myself telling patients every single day "we don't know that yet," "we're on the edge of science," and "I wish I had more data." There's so much that we don't know, especially when it comes to female sexual medicine.


A group of passionate, smart medical students in Chicago are helping to push the field of female sexual medicine forward. This group is the Medical Student Forum on Female Sexual Medicine. They bring together med students in Chicago and beyond to collaborate, learn, and educate about Female Sexual Medicine.


The amazing members of the Forum are demanding better education in their schools in the name of better outcomes for their future patients. They know that sexual medicine is a critical component of a comprehensive medical education.


Currently, female sexual medicine is underrepresented in medical school curricula. Any doctor or med student could tell you that. But, sometimes, evidence helps. The Forum has been working hard to quantify the gaps in female sexual anatomy, physiology, and clinical information. Their work was just published in Sexual Medicine. Here's what they found after collecting curriculum materials from 7 medical schools:

  • Anatomy: 1 school identified all anatomic components of the clitoris

  • Physiology: 4 schools discussed the physiology of the female orgasm

  • Prevalence of dysfunction: 3 schools highlighted the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction

  • Treatments: 3 schools addressed treatments for female sexual dysfunction

  • Physical exam: 1 school taught a physical exam specific to assessing female sexual dysfunction

After collecting Ob/Gyn clinical materials from the 7 institutions, the researchers found:

  • 5 schools included topics related to female sexual medicine.

  • Among those 5 schools, only 1 had an additional required 1-hour lecture on female sexual medicine and an optional online training in taking a comprehensive sexual history.

  • One other school offered supplemental case-based modules that included vulvovaginal diseases and chronic pelvic pain.

  • Sexual pleasure, arousal, and libido were not included.

Let me say that one more time: sexual pleasure, arousal, and libido were not included. These are crucial parts of many people's lives, and medical schools are not talking about them. Even what should be foundational—the anatomy of the clitoris—is taught by only 1 of the 7 institutions studied.

The results of this study highlight the need for standardized curricula related to female sexual medicine in medical education to equip future physicians to treat patients with sexual dysfunction. And to even simply assess female patients who don't have sexual dysfunction.


Collecting and publishing this data is just the beginning. The Forum plans on formatting these findings into curricular recommendations which they will share with course leadership at their various institutions.

Medical students and physicians often report being underprepared to address the sexual health needs of their patients—especially with regards to female sexual medicine. Female sexual medicine is rarely broached in the doctor's office, and stigma often prevents discussion between patients and their care teams. With this new research, we are a stop closer to ensuring that doctors have the proper training to deliver the care that all patients deserve.




807 views49 comments

Recent Posts

See All

49 commenti


Anjali Kumari
Anjali Kumari
12 minutes ago

E-Waste Export License -MoEF consists of discarded electronic components and scrap and since it contains lead mercury and cadmium among its constituent components it poses a great danger to life and the natural world. E-waste exporting is however one of the aspects that focus on the important task of proper e-waste management. In India to control rules and regulations regarding licensing process of e-waste export, the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change 

Mi piace

Anjali Kumari
Anjali Kumari
an hour ago

The battery import license is a mandatory document for any company intending to bring batteries into India. The license needed to import batteries is issued by the Central Pollution Control Board/State Pollution Control Board in India via the Batteries Registration and Management System (BRMS) portal importers can obtain Battery Import Registration from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) online.

Mi piace

New Email
New Email
4 hours ago

Canon printer troubleshooting involves identifying and resolving common issues such as paper jams, connectivity problems, poor print quality, or error messages. Start by ensuring the printer is powered on and properly connected to your device. Check for paper obstructions or misfeeds, and clear any jams. If print quality is poor, verify ink or toner levels, clean the print head, or align the cartridges. For wireless issues, ensure the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Resetting the printer or reinstalling drivers may also help resolve persistent errors. Regular maintenance and software updates can prevent future issues.


Mi piace

Amelia
Amelia
5 hours ago

The idea of convincing your valuable time and all that you have going on in life for online education might appear intimidating. Even though it's worth each second, there are so many problems to overcome including receiving sick, job demands as well as other errands such as family. The process of taking an online class requires a great deal of independent work, and can become overwhelming when time zone changes and your personal schedule prevent you from fully collaborating with your classmates. Consequently, if you're not up to taking online classes, you might consider hiring someone to do the work for you. However, there comes a time when you wonder what it costs to pay someone to take my class…

Mi piace

New Email
New Email
7 hours ago

An Hp printer offline status means it’s unable to communicate with your computer or network. This issue can arise due to connectivity problems, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings. Common causes include loose cable connections, a disrupted Wi-Fi signal, or the printer being set to "Use Printer Offline" mode. Resolving this often involves checking network connections, restarting the printer, updating drivers, or clearing print jobs in the queue.

Mi piace
bottom of page