TWSHF Transfers Assets to the National Vulvodynia Association

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) December 17, 2009 -- The Women's Sexual Health Foundation (TWSHF) was established in 2003 to make current information on sexual health and sexual medicine easily accessible to the public and to healthcare professionals. Following a careful review of the resources necessary to continue operating, TWSHF board of directors voted to dissolve the non-profit and donate its assets to the National Vulvodynia Association (NVA), www.nva.org., which shares a similar mission to "improve women's health through education, research, support and advocacy." The foundation's website, www.twshf.org, will continue to operate until the transfer is finalized in early 2010.

"Since its inception, The Women's Sexual Health Foundation has been recognized as a credible source of information influencing public knowledge and opinion," says Executive Director Lisa Martinez RN/JD. "I believe the resources and other educational materials available at our website have made a difference by helping women become their own best advocate.

"I am confident that Phyllis Mate, NVA's Executive Director, and her board will be excellent stewards of the educational and research materials developed by TWSHF and will continue to further our shared objectives to improve health for women everywhere," added Martinez.

Martinez also acknowledges the support and guidance of TWSHF advisory board, the many dedicated advocates and volunteers who helped TWSHF throughout the years and the dedicated reporters who have written about women's sexual health in an accurate, balanced and sensitive way.

"We are honored by the confidence Lisa and the Board of TWSHF have shown in the National Vulvodynia Association by deciding to transfer their assets to us," says Phyllis Mate, NVA's executive director. "This generous gift will help the NVA further our mutual goal of educating healthcare professionals and the public on women's sexual health. Lisa has been a leader and an advocate for women in this area, and we are looking forward to continuing her important work."

Women's Sexual Health Journal

Women’s Sexual Health Journal Latest Issue

Sadly this is the last issue of the Women's Sexual Health Journal. Thank you to all who have volunteered their support and contributed articles. Instead we will be placing more of a focus on our award winning blog site and encourage all of you to contact us if interested in being a guest blogger. Whether you are a healthcare professional or a woman who has struggled with sexual health difficulties, we invite you to be a guest blogger.

This issue of the journal is all about the pelvic floor and vulvodynia. The article “Female Sexual Dysfunction and Physical Therapy” by Stephanie Lutz, DPT and Amy Stein, MPT will help to enlighten readers on how physical therapy can resolve FSD. Further enlightenment comes from material reprinted from Amy Stein’s book Heal Pelvic Pain: The Proven Stretching, Strengthening, and Nutrition Program for Relieving Pain, Incontinence, IBS, and Other Symptoms without Surgery. Stein describes the role of the pelvic floor and what can happen when the muscle tone is too high. She provides excellent solutions to these challenging problems.

Finally , Marjorie Green, MD, MPH, Instructor Harvard Medical, Director of Mt. Auburn Menopause and Sexual Medicine Institute has written about a topic that many women are very unfamiliar with, Vulvodynia. Up to 15% of women suffer from this and often do not know where to turn for help. Dr. Green can help women understand more about Vulvodynia.

Click here for the latest issue - July 2009

Cancer and Sexuality please click here.

Results From Sexual Health Discussion Survey

TWSHF would like to thank all of you who participated in our Sexual Health Discussion Survey. For some of you the results may not be surprising, and yet others may be encouraged by them.

Click here to read the results of the Survey: Discussing FSD with Your Health Care Provider.

Knowledge of Cancer, Its Treatments and Their Side Effects Survey

Dalhousie University, School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is studying people’s knowledge about reproductive-related cancers, their treatment options, and side effects. We are focusing on various communities affected by these diseases. Our study addresses testicular and prostate cancers in males, and breast, uterine, cervical and ovarian cancers in females. We are interested in what patients with any of these cancers know about the other cancers. We are also interested in how some of the language about treatments is understood.

You do not need to be an expert to help out. The questionnaire is for people who are themselves, or have a family member, affected by any of these diseases. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes to complete. If you are interested in helping out please click here...