Each year, the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) publishes position statements on sexual medicine related issues that are of interest to its members and the public. You can view our recent position statements by following the links below. If you have questions or comments, please email to admin@essm.org.
Position Statements
September 2023
ESSM Position Statement on the use of animal models for studying Peyronie’s disease
Animal models are frequently used for translational research in Peyronie’s disease (PD). However, due to lack of availability of guidelines, there is some heterogeneity in study design, data reporting, and outcome measures.
September 2023
ESSM Position Statement: Web based research in sexual medicine
Although the use of the Web has brought major advances in every step of the research process, this also comes with several methodological challenges.
December 2021
ESSM Position Statement “Sexual Wellbeing After Gender Affirming Surgery”
Much has been published on the surgical and functional results following Gender Affirming Surgery (‘GAS’) in trans individuals. Comprehensive results regarding sexual wellbeing following GAS, however, are generally lacking.
November 2021
ESSM Position Statement on Surgical Treatment of Peyronie’s Disease
Patients with Peyronie’s disease may experience significant distress. The choice of treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the disease, the presence of pain, severity and direction of the curvature, penile length and the quality of erectile function.
October 2021
A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Although erectile dysfunction (ED) involves an interaction between physiological and psychological pathways, the psychosocial aspects of ED have received considerably less attention so far.
July 2021
The Use of Penile Traction Devices for Peyronie’s Disease: Position Statements from the European Society for Sexual Medicine
Penile traction therapy (PTT) aims to non-surgically reduce curvature, enhance girth, and recover lost length. Available clinical practice guidelines however lack clear recommendations regarding their use.
June 2021
Male Sexual Dysfunctions in the Infertile Couple–Recommendations From the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Sexual dysfunctions (SDs) have been frequently reported among male partners of infertile couples due to psychogenic, relational and/or organic issues related with the inability to conceive. Likewise, male infertility (MI) could be a consequence of sexual dysfunctions.
March 2021
Radiofrequency-Based Devices for Female Genito-Urinary Indications: Position Statements From the European Society of Sexual Medicine
Radiofrequency (RF)-based treatment has been introduced as an esthetic alternative treatment for various medical indications without the scientific backup of a satisfactory body of evidence. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the safety of energy-based technologies for indications such as vaginal “rejuvenation,” cosmetic vaginal treatment, vaginal conditions related to menopause, and symptoms of urinary incontinence and sexual function on July 30, 2018.
February 2021
European Society for Sexual Medicine Position Statement “Assessment and Hormonal Management in Adolescent and Adult Trans People, With Attention for Sexual Function and Satisfaction”
There is a general lack of recommendations for and basic information tailored at sexologists and other health-care professionals for when they encounter trans people in their practice.
June 2020
European Society for Sexual Medicine Consensus Statement on the Use of the Cavernous Nerve Injury Rodent Model to Study Postradical Prostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction
Rodent animal models are currently the most used in vivo model in translational studies looking into the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
April 2020
E-Sexual Health: A Position Statement of the European Society for Sexual Medicine
Opportunities and pitfalls of e-health have been described and assessed in various health domains, but in the field of sexual health, the respective literature is limited.
March 2020
Laser-Based Devices for Female Genitourinary Indications
Laser-based technologies have been commercially marketed as “wonder treatments” without a sufficient and adequate body of evidence. In addition, on July 30, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the safety of the use of laser-based devices for the following indications: vaginal “rejuvenation” or cosmetic vaginal procedures, vaginal conditions and symptoms related to menopause, urinary incontinence, and sexual function.
March 2020
Radiofrequency-Based Devices for Female Genito-Urinary Indications
Radiofrequency (RF)-based treatment has been introduced as an esthetic alternative treatment for various medical indications without the scientific backup of a satisfactory body of evidence. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding the safety of energy-based technologies for indications such as vaginal “rejuvenation,” cosmetic vaginal treatment, vaginal conditions related to menopause, and symptoms of urinary incontinence and sexual function on July 30, 2018.
March 2020
Sexual Desire Discrepancy
There is a lack of theoretical and empirical knowledge on how sexual desire functions and interacts in a relationship.
February 2020
Assessment and Hormonal Management in Adolescent and Adult Trans People, With Attention for Sexual Function and Satisfaction
There is a general lack of recommendations for and basic information tailored at sexologists and other health-care professionals for when they encounter trans people in their practice.
December 2019
Exploring Partner Expectations, Satisfaction in Male and Phalloplasty Cohorts, the Impact of Penile Length, Girth and Implant Type, Reservoir Placement, and the Influence of Comorbidities and Social Circumstances.
To date, several aspects of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgical procedure have been poorly studied.
September 2019
Hormonal Contraception and Female Sexuality
Hormonal contraception is available worldwide in many different forms. Fear of side effects and health concerns are among the main reasons for not using contraceptives or discontinuing their use.
August 2019
Low-Intensity Shock Wave Therapy in Sexual Medicine — Clinical Recommendations from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Low-intensity shockwave therapy (LISWT) has been investigated for the treatment of uroandrological disorders including erectile dysfunction (ED), Peyronie’s disease (PD) and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) with controversial findings.
