IPPS + APTA Pelvic Health Virtual Pop-Up on Sexual Pain and Dysfunction in Younger Populations

Sexual dysfunction is common across the lifespan and affects individuals of all genders and backgrounds, with estimates suggesting 30–45% of women and 20–30% of men experience clinically significant sexual concerns at some point. Prevalence is higher among individuals with pelvic floor disorders, chronic pain, menopause or postpartum changes, cancer survivorship, cardiometabolic and neurologic conditions, and mental health comorbidities. Despite its frequency and impact on quality of life, sexual dysfunction is often under-screened and under-treated in clinical practice.

This four-part clinical update is designed for healthcare professionals—including physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health providers, pelvic health physical therapists, and related clinicians—and presents an interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach to sexual dysfunction.

Participants will review common clinical presentations and explore how medical, pelvic floor, musculoskeletal, neurologic, hormonal, and psychosocial factors intersect. Emphasis is placed on collaborative care, effective screening and communication, appropriate referral pathways, and trauma-informed, patient-centered strategies to improve sexual health outcomes.

Learning Objectives

1. Apply pain science–informed, biopsychosocial, and ICF-aligned language when discussing sexual activity to reduce fear, avoid dismissive or tolerance-based messaging, and support meaningful sexual participation for individuals with sexual pain and dysfunction.
2. Identify common medical and neuromuscular contributors to painful intercourse in younger women, recognize patterns of diagnostic delay or dismissal, and apply interdisciplinary assessment and referral strategies to support effective, participation-focused treatment planning.
3. Explain how the female sexual response cycle—including desire, arousal, and contextual influences—affects tissue tolerance and pain and integrate this understanding into patient education and clinical strategies that support comfortable and meaningful sexual participation.
4. Recognize medical, psychosocial, and neuromuscular contributors to anodyspareunia in men who have sex with men, and apply inclusive, interdisciplinary assessment, education, and treatment strategies that promote safe, confident, and participatory anal sexual activity.

What to Expect

• Interactive discussions led by diverse healthcare professionals
• An interdisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach to sexual dysfunction
• The role of different professions in improving sexual health outcomes

Event Highlights

• Approximately 6 contact hours
• 4 Educational Sessions
• Live 15-min Q&A after each session
• On-demand access to all recordings
• Post-event exam & survey in the Learning Center
• Digital badge & Certificate of Completion
• 🌟 Sponsored by The Pelvic People

Educational Sessions

Session 1: Attitude and Words Matter! Shifting Provider Language from Sexual “Tolerance” to Participation 

• IPPS Presentation: Alexandra Milspaw, PhD, LCP, CST
• APTA Pelvic Health Presentation: Rose Schlaff, DPT, WHC, IF

Session 2:  “A Glass of Wine” Not Cutting It – Painful Intercourse in Younger Women

• IPPS Presentation: Karen Brandon, DSc, PT, Pelvic & Women's Health Board-Certified Specialist
• APTA Pelvic Health Presentation: Peng Fan, PT, DPT

Session 3: Timing Matters! – The Female Sexual Response Cycle & Sexual Pain

• IPPS Presentation: Kayna Cassard, MA, MFT
• APTA Pelvic Health Presentation: Darla Cathcart, PT, DPT, CLT, Pelvic & Women's Health Board-Certified Specialist

Session 4: What About Ken?: Sexual Dysfunction and Pain in Younger Men? 

• IPPS Presentation: Helen Sun, MD 
• APTA Pelvic Health Presentation: Pamela A. Downey, PT, DPT, Pelvic & Women's Health Board-Certified Specialist

This purchase is non-refundable and non-transferable.