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Resources for Providers

Tight Lipped – Provider-Focused Resources

Explore a curated collection of tools, guides, and content to help providers better support patients experiencing vulvovaginal and pelvic pain. Created by Tight Lipped, these resources center patient voices and promote trauma-informed, empathetic care.

NPWH 27th Annual Premier Women’s Healthcare Conference

This conference offers healthcare providers specialized education on the latest advancements in women’s health, including clinical best practices, emerging research, and leadership development. Both in-person and virtual options are available for broad accessibility.

National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH)

NPWH offers clinical resources, continuing education, policy updates, and training programs designed to support healthcare providers who specialize in women's health. Their work advances evidence-based practice and professional development across a range of sexual and reproductive health topics.

Prevention of Retained Vaginal Sponges After Birth Bundle

A collection of evidence-based resources aimed at reducing the risk of retained vaginal sponges after childbirth. This bundle includes best practices for readiness, recognition, response, and reporting to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes.

Enhanced Recovery After Gynecologic Surgery Bundle

A comprehensive, evidence-based framework developed by the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care to improve surgical outcomes. This resource outlines best practices for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, emphasizing multimodal pain management, early recovery strategies, and patient-centered care.

Sexual Health & Wellness Courses by Dr. Rachel Rubin

Online courses designed for healthcare providers, educators, and individuals seeking evidence-based knowledge on sexual health and wellness. Explore expert-led training to enhance patient care and professional development.

ACOG Urges Uncensored Access to Scientific Research and Clinical Data

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advocates for unrestricted access to evidence-based research and clinical data to support informed medical decision-making and high-quality patient care. Read their latest statement on the importance of protecting scientific integrity in healthcare.

Vulva Map

A comprehensive, interactive tool designed to help providers and patients better understand vulvar anatomy. This resource supports education, clinical discussions, and patient empowerment by offering clear, accurate visualizations of the vulva.

Join the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Become a member of ACOG to access professional resources, educational opportunities, and a network of experts dedicated to advancing obstetric and gynecologic care. Membership provides clinical guidance, advocacy support, and exclusive benefits to enhance your practice and professional development.

Process of Care for Sexual Health

The International Society for the Study of

Women’s Sexual Health Process of Care for

the Identification of Sexual Concerns and

Problems in Women

Diagnosing Vulvovaginal Pain

Persistent Vulvar Pain Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm. 

Handbook On Treating Chronic Pelvic, Genital, and Sexual Pain Disorders (Book)

This 175-page book details how Dr. Echenberg sought and found the answers to diagnose and successfully treat the full array of complex chronic pelvic, genital, and sexual pain disorders.

Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals (Book)

The constantly-changing field inspired the second edition of Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals. In a state-of-the-art guide, Dr. Levine and his associates continue to help professionals with the assessment and treatment of a large array of sexual concerns. Written in a personal, supervisory style, the book will help new therapists anticipate clinical contingencies and help experienced therapists refine their thinking and teaching. Easily accessible, the Handbook is divided into six major sections with helpful annotated references: Being a Therapist; Intimacy; Sexual Dysfunction; Sexual Identity Struggles; The Forgotten; and Additional Vital Topics. Twenty-one chapters have been thoroughly revised and updated, and five new ones have been added. These focus on gay and lesbian life, transitioning to single life, cancer survivorship, the sexual issues of the developmentally challenged, and sex among the aging.

Textbook of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment (Book)

Textbook of Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Treatment, was authored, edited, and endorsed by ISSWSH and provides the scientific basis for clinical recommendations and takes a multi-disciplinary, biopsychosocial perspective for the much needed guidance of the diagnosis and treatment of various sexual health issues. Clearly organized around the four major disease states in Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD): desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain. all three FDA-approved medications are covered along with consideration to off-label treatments. It is an invaluable guide to diagnosis and treatment for any professional looking after women’s sexual health.

An Introduction to Sexuality Education: A Handbook for Primary Care Providers (Book)

This manual provides primary care providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and others, with the tools to address a variety of sexual issues that may arise in the course of daily practice. This includes problematic, inaccurate, or harmful sexuality information that may come from families, classrooms, peers, partners, and the media. It supports PCPs as they consider their own biases, history, and knowledge base, and affirms that sexuality education is an integral part of patient care.

The manual contains four sections. In the first, providers are guided to assess their own personal perspective on sexuality in order to better inform patient discussions. The second section provides a broad overview of numerous topics related to sexuality that clients bring into the clinical setting. These include anatomy, physiology, sexual arousal, reproduction, communication styles, intimate partner violence, masturbation, and more. The third section includes 22 handouts that can be copied and used with clients along with guides and recommendations on how to use them. The final section is an extensive list of resources, organized by topic and annotated with a brief description of the content of each.

National Coalition for Sexual Health

This compendium was created to help primary care providers and others improve their clinical skills in this area by compiling existing resources on sexual and reproductive health topics across the lifespan.

The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction

The mission of the Kinsey Institute is to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender, and reproduction.

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists is a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.

Need Help?

As a service to women everywhere, the Medical Board of Directors is available to address non-urgent medical concerns you may have related to sexual health. While not a replacement for medical care, this service aims to point women in the right direction. We strive to answer all questions within a week. To submit a question, please click here to contact us.

Please note that this service is not meant to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment of any condition. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding your particular medical needs. Other professionals may be consulted from time to time in order to answer certain questions.

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