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The European Sexual Dysfunction Alliance (ESDA)

Secretariat:
Avenida de Menendez Pelayo 75
Bajo derecha 3, 28007 Madrid, Spain
Tel: +34 91 501 9513
Fax: +34 91 501 9668
E-mail: info-esda@salud-sexual.org

The European Sexual Dysfunction Alliance (ESDA) is an umbrella organisation for patient support groups across Europe.

This patient focused organization operates to assist patients suffering from sexual dysfunction and to provide awareness and understanding of the condition to partners of patients, media and other interested parties.

Sexual health is vital to people's well being.

"Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being related to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled".
Source: WHO Draft working definition, October 2002

Sexual dysfunction can have many causes both psychological and physical. From ESDA's experience the main sexual dysfunctions in men are erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and reduced sexual desire, while in women reduced sexual desire, lack of arousal, anorgasmia, and pain during intercourse are the most common. ESDA is unique in that it proactively engages with patient target audiences and the media using a range of educational resources to raise awareness of sexual dysfunction, its management and treatments.

There are currently ESDA helplines in the following countries: UK, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Israel, Turkey, Ireland, France, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Italy (due to re-open soon). Each patient organisation is responsible for its own management and funding. Information is provided via a telephone helpline, by email and post. Fact sheets on different sexual problems are available and can be sent to callers who request them. ESDA's main objectives are to:

Organize

• Define strategy for the development of a European network for sufferers' support
• Develop tools and guidelines for the establishment of a common action plan throughout Europe
• Bring together and support those Associations established in European countries (or elsewhere), which are concerned with the issues of Sexual Dysfunction and its impact on patients and other members of the general public

Survey / Disseminate

• Undertake community-based research and surveys into any aspects of Sexual Dysfunction and its impact on individuals and groups and to make available the results of such research studies and information. The main purpose of such research is to identify not only sufferers but also community needs for education, information, support and care. The results of such Pan-European research are extremely valuable for education and prevention programs development, health care policy making, as well as for the development of long-term care models for sufferers using any type of treatment

Cooperate/ Raise Awareness

• To cooperate with pan-European organisations to further the understanding and knowledge of Sexual Dysfunction

Sufferers Representation

• Give the patients' perspective when presenting the work of ESDA
• Clearly communicate sufferers' needs and expectations in scientific and public arenas
• Lobbing for the benefit of the sufferers (medical and scientific societies, governmental and community organizations, media and health policy makers)

ESDA encourages joint activities of its affiliated members aimed at raising awareness of sexual problems, their diagnosis and the treatments available. These activities include

• The study and comparison of statistical data gathered through the different national helplines
• European public awareness campaigns such as the European Sexual Awareness Event (ESAE) held around the 14th February every year in collaboration with the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM).