History

In 1995 our journey began into medical knowledge, research and innovation across Europe.

Message of the Past President

The European Society for Sexual Medicine means Education and Science in Sexual Medicine. In the last years, we have established several educational programs and developed criteria for certification in Sexual Medicine and Sexology. However, there is a lot more to do. Basic knowledge in Sexual Medicine should be available to all medical students and physicians in their own language.

Therefore, we need to increase the awareness of policy makers about this delicate branch of medicine and inform all physicians about the causes and consequences of sexual problems. On professional level there is a great need for advanced educational programs in and outside Europe, but also for special health care providers like nurses and physical therapists.

In addition to the need for education, high level scientific research is required for enlightening the dark sides of Sexual Medicine. Although the development of the first oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction revolutionized our understandings in sex research in 1998, we still need to find resources and grants to make turn the baby steps in basic and clinical research into split run.

And last but not least multidisciplinary approach in education, science and clinical practice should be applied. Sexual Medicine means involvement of bio-psycho-social aspects and therefore the need for involvement of many disciplines in our society. This will lead to increase in research but also to increase in the number of members in our society.

We need the contribution, involvement and feedback of each one of you and hope to see you all in our events, meetings and courses.

Carlo Bettocchi, ESSM Past President

ESSM – How the story began

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  • 2020
    Celebrating the 25th anniversary of ESSM
  • 2015
    Celebrating the 20th anniversary of ESSM
  • 2013
    First examination to become a EFS & ESSM Certified Psycho-Sexologist (ECPS)
  • 2012
    First examination to become a Fellow of The European Committee of Sexual Medicine (FECSM)
  • 2009
    ESSM became stronger and now it harbors 25 National Affiliated Societies.
  • 2005
    The 10th anniversary of ESSM, a society which is always stronger and more deeply rooted across Europe, with 13 National Societies affiliated to ESSM and about 1400 members.
  • 2003
    Changing again its name into the actual ESSM (European Society for Sexual Medicine). Characterizing once again its need to improve and spread the research into sexual medicine, a field which is continuously developing across the world, bringing sexual awareness to light more and more not only in the medical field but also among people.
  • 2001
    The name of the Society changed into ESSIR (European Society for Sexual and Impotence Research) in order to embrace more deeply the broad field of sexual medicine, both male and female.
  • 1997
    The second Congress was held in Madrid. The third Congress was held in Barcelona in 2000, after the tremendous earthquake that hit Turkey in 1999, where the Congress should have been held
  • 1995
    ESIR was born and the first Congress was held in Porto Carras, Greece. Our journey began into medical knowledge, research and innovation across Europe.
  • 2023-2025
    Giovanni Corona, Italy
  • 2020-2023
    Carlo Bettocchi, Italy
  • 2018-2020
    Yacov Reisman, The Netherlands
  • 2016-2018
    Francois Giuliano, France
  • 2014-2016
    David Ralph, UK
  • 2010-2014
    Hartmut Porst, Germany
  • 2007-2010
    Ian Eardley, UK
  • 2004-2007
    Francesco Montorsi, Italy
  • 2001-2004
    Dimitrios Hatzichristou, Greece
  • 1999-2001
    John Pryor, UK
  • 1997-1999
    Inigo Saenz de Tejada, Spain
  • 1993-1997
    Gorm Wagner, Denmark
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