Newsletter – Vol. 1, No. 2

November 1, 2002

The Institute for Sexual Medicine, composed of the Center for Sexual Medicine and Laboratory for Sexual Medicine Research, is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sexual health problems. This is achieved through the pursuit of multidisciplinary basic science and clinical research, training and education of health care professionals, and the promotion of the exchange of scientific information.

• • • NEWS FLASH • • •

Check out: the Institute for Sexual Medicine on the web: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/sexualmedicine.

Message from Center Director
Dr. Irwin Goldstein

I am pleased to share with you how popular our new Information Sessions have been during the first two months. We have had programs on the penile prosthesis and on dyspareunia. These programs have been attended by our patients, their friends and members of the Greater Boston community. Feel free to come once or come often. The upcoming schedule will be listed regularly in the newsletter as well as on the website. November 21 the topic will be “Dealing with the aftermath of prostate cancer: ED” and January 16 the topic will be “The most common female sexual dysfunction: low interest.” Based on comments from the first two sessions, Justin Pfister has created support groups for anyone in need whether or not they are patients at the Center for Sexual Medicine http://www.geocities.com/justinpfister/.

On another note I am please to announce that as of October 1 our head nurse, Terry Payton, has been working full time in the Center for Sexual Medicine. If you have any medical questions feel free to write to csm@bmc.org. Terry will either answer your questions or direct them to the proper person within our Center.
Congratulations to Laurie

Best wishes to Laurie McCann who recently wed Frank MacIsaac. Please join us in wishing her many years of happiness.

Interested in being involved in clinical trials? Call us at 617 638-8576 or send an e-mail to ism@bu.edu.

Preceptorships at Center Expand

Many of you have had appointments at the Center for Sexual Medicine while we have had physicians here on a preceptorship, training for a day or two. We are pleased to announce that we have established preceptorship programs for ultrasonography and psychology. Ultimately training more professionals will help more patients receive appropriate care for their sexual health issues. We have already had more than 30 physicians spend time with us, learning the latest in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women. We have recently booked our first preceptorships with our ultrasound technologist, Scott Maitland, and with our psychologist, Dr. Stan Ducharme.

NEW FEATURE:

Sexual Dysfunction: A Couple’s Issue
Dr. Stan Ducharme

Many individuals with sexual dysfunction tend to wait months or even years before seeking a proper diagnosis and treatment. The embarrassment often associated with a sexual disorder makes it difficult to discuss sexual issues and to bring them to the attention of professionals working in the field of sexual medicine. In spite of the increasing prevalence of sexual difficulties, there is a often the hope that such problems will resolve themselves without medical attention. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case.

When a sexual difficulty has persisted for a period of months or years it has often taken a significant toll on both individuals in a relationship. For the individual with the difficulty, there may be feelings of embarrassment, shame, inadequacy and even failure. For the partner of a person with a sexual dysfunction, it is not uncommon to also see a variety of feelings and reactions to the problem. These may range from periods of sadness to more intense feelings of frustration and resentment. Other partners feel unattractive and undesirable. In times of such stress, it is not uncommon for communication to be at a minimum or even nonexistent.

Although new diagnostic procedures and medical advances insure a successful resolution to the vast majority of sexual dysfunctions, a resolution of the emotional consequences may be more gradual and difficult to achieve. Feelings of hurt, rejection or resentment may persist even after a medical solution has been achieved. In cases where the emotional stress and relationship issues have been more significant, talking about these areas may be helpful. Reestablishing healthy communication in a relationship is an essential step in regaining emotional closeness and trust.

At the Institute for Sexual Medicine, we are aware that one’s sexuality is a complex interplay of medical, emotional and relationship issues. Thus, we are committed to assisting our patients in all of these important areas of positive sexual health. If you have concerns about your emotional wellbeing or the well being of your relationship, we encourage you to bring this to the attention of our doctors and professional staff.

Welcome to our New Employees

After weeks of searching we have found her–our new nurse to help our female patients for both our clinic and research. Please welcome Paula Kee to the Center for Sexual Medicine. After many years at the Brigham she has come to work with us with a fresh outlook and a great deal of enthusiasm. You will find her intelligent, efficient and empathetic. She works alongside Terry Payton, who has many years of experience working in sexual medicine.

Visiting Professor Program

The Institute for Sexual Medicine is proud to announce the inception of the Visiting Professor Program, in memory of Dr. Robert J. Krane, former chair of the Department of Urology. The first visiting professor was Dr. Arthur Burnett of Johns Hopkins University who spoke to the medical community on October 18 on nerve regeneration post-prostatectomy. We will be sponsoring visiting professors every few months, listed on our website.

Donations

Tax deductible gifts may be made to the Institute for Sexual Medicine. Please make check payable to Boston Medical Center/Irwin Goldstein, MD, write ‘ISM donation’ on the memo line and mail to Jerie McGrath, Boston Medical Center, Department of Urology W607, 700 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118.