Name
Integrative Approaches to Women’s Sexual Health: Improving Access to Care and Clinician Competency
Description

Female sexual dysfunction is a relatively common problem, impacting women across the lifespan, with some data suggesting that up to 50% of women will experience at least one episode of FSD. The purpose of the session is to provide information about current models of the sexual response cycle (i.e., how they do/do not represent women’s sexual experiences) and how to apply the biopsychosocial approach to women’s sexual health. The session will cover population-specific considerations (e.g., cancer, gender diverse patients, perinatal complaints) and identify barriers to care for women’s sexual health. The session will end with novel recommendations for comprehensive sexual health assessment and treatment applications using evidence-based modalities, adapted for use in primary care settings and in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.

Speakers
Shana Byerley, MA
Co-Authors
Dr. Julia Dodd, Dr. William Finger, Amanda York, LCSW, MEd, CST
Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Behavioral Medicine Topics such as insomnia or medication adherence, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Underserved populations such as LGBTQ+
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Understand current models of the sexual response cycle, apply the biopsychosocial approach and acknowledge population-specific considerations
Objective 2
Identify barriers to care and pathways to engage with other members of the healthcare team to optimize treatment outcomes
Objective 3
Utilize screening tools and brief intervention recommendations to provide team-based, whole-person care
Content Reference 1

Bohren, M. A., Vazquez Corona, M., Odiase, O. J., Wilson, A. N., Sudhinaraset, M., Diamond-Smith, N., Berryman, J., Tunçalp, Ö., & Afulani, P. A. (2022). Strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination in sexual and reproductive healthcare settings: A mixed-methods systematic review. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(6), e0000582. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000582

Content Reference 2

Zhang, H., & Brotto, L. A. (2025). The patient woman or the woman patient? Examining the demographic differences between women seeking and not seeking treatment for sexual dysfunction. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 34(1), 138–147. https://doi.org/10.3138/cjhs-2024-0058

Content Reference 3

Stanley, E. E., Pfoh, E., Lipold, L., & Martinez, K. (2025). Gap in Sexual Dysfunction Management Between Male and Female Patients Seen in Primary Care: An Observational Study: Sexual Dysfunction Management Patterns. Journal of General Internal Medicine : JGIM, 40(4), 847–853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-024-09004-1

Content Reference 4

Thompson, T.-A. M., Young, Y.-Y., Bass, T. M., Baker, S., Njoku, O., Norwood, J., & Simpson, M. (2022). Racism Runs Through It: Examining The Sexual And Reproductive Health Experience Of Black Women In The South. Health Affairs (Millwood, Va.), 41(2), 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01422

Content Reference 5

Velten, J., & Margraf, J. (2023). Exploring barriers and facilitators to women’s intention and behavior to seek treatment for distressing sexual problems. PloS One, 18(7), e0288205. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288205