World Sexual Health Day talks address female, male, and cultural issues

Did you know that tomorrow (September 4) is World Sexual Health Day?

To learn more about the latest in sexual health matters, there's a free event entitled World Sexual Health Day: Sexual Health for a Fairer Society featuring several talks by guest speakers at SFU downtown.

UBC obstetrics and gynaecology associate professor Dr. Lori Brotto, who conducts research on women's sexual health, will talk about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of Addyi and what that means for women's health. 

Also know as flibanserin, this drug is used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. The disorder is characterized by low sexual desire (in patients who had no previous history of sexual desire problems) that creates relationship difficulties.

At the other end of the gender spectrum, Men's Health Initiative sexual health clinician Shannon Griffin will address issues related to male sexual health. (For clarification, Men's Health Initiative is not related to and is different from the queer male health organization Health Initiative for Men.)

Last but not least, BC Women's Hospital medical affairs vice-president Dr. Dorothy Shaw will discuss cultural aspects of women's sexual health to provide insight that will be of value to international and multicultural contexts.

The event will run from 4 to 6 p.m. (doors at 3:30 p.m.) at SFU's Segal Building (500 Granville Street). For more details, visit the SFU website.