Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

The History of Modern Sexual Medicine

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine

  • 2871 Accesses

Abstract

The history of sexual medicine as a science is relatively new. This is no attempt to go back into ancient history to examine early practices for treating sexual disorders but starts with the modern era with the work of Masters and Johnson and Kinsey. It would be encyclopedic to include the details from all the contributors who have made this field now science but I have attempted to divide the topic in areas that have made this modern science and to include citations that have comprehensive reference sections that include major contributors. Each of the areas that I have divided this chapter could be a volume in itself. I know that by even doing this that I inadvertently have overlooked a few important contributors. There is a concentration on erectile dysfunction (ED) because from the days of vascular surgery there has been a tremendous explosion of anatomical, physiological, and molecular studies to examine the function of erection, both centrally and in the end organ and to define the pathophysiology of ED. But other sexual disorders in the male have been defined by science within the last 40 years. The focus on sexual disorders in women is relatively new, but it is truly become more scientific as well and I have tried to include references to some key papers that reflect that science. Since the mid-1970s the history has been intense and has led to logarithmic advances which, at best, are only partially discussed in this chapter. This chapter includes brief sections on psychotherapy history, vascular revascularization, penile prostheses, venous surgery, vacuum devices, epidemiology, diagnostic tools, intracavernosal injection therapy, oral therapy of ED, basic science, Peyronie’s disease, priapism, ejaculation problems, hormonal treatment and evaluation, and women’s disorders. I have tried to keep these in some order of when key studies evolved and show how the interaction of one area led to more scientific studies in the other area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kinsey AC, Pomeroy WB, Martin CE, Gebhard PH. Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Masters WB, Johnson VE. The human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co.; 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Masters WB, Johnson VE. Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co.; 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kaplan HS. The new sexual therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kaplan HS. Hypoactive sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther 3(1):1977.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kaplan HS. Disorders of sexual desires. New York: Brunner/Mazel; 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Wagner G, Kaplan HS. The new injection treatment for impotence. New York: Brunner/Mazel; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Perelmann MA. Integrated sex therapy: a psychosocial-cultural perspective intergrading behavioral, cognitive, and medical approaches. In: Carson CC, Kirby RS, Goldstein I, Wyllie MG, editors. Textbook of erectile dysfunction. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2009. p. 61–71.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Michal V, Viramar R, Pospichal J, Hejhal L. Arterial epigastricocavernous anastomosis for the treatment of sexual impotence. World J Surg. 1977;1:515–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gineste JF, Romieu A. Radiologic exploration of impotence. The Hague, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff; 1978.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  11. Lewis RW, Wagner G. History of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM)—the beginnings. J Sex Med. 2008;5:740–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lizza EF. History-Adrian Walton Zorgniotti (1925-1994): renaissance urologist. J Sex Med. 2005;2:272–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Zorgniotti AW and Rossi G, editors. Vasculogenic impotence. Proceedings of the first international conference on corpus cavernosum revascularization. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Mulcahy JJ. The development of modern penile implants. Sex Med Rev. 2016;4:177–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Multiple Authors. Contemporary review of historical papers in penile implant surgery. J Sex Med. 2015;12(Suppl 7):413–68.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Trost L, Hellstrom WJG. History, contemporary outcomes and future of penile prostheses: a review of the literature. Sex Med Rev. 2013;3:150–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lewis RW. The international society for sexual medicine: a rich history and a bright future. Sex Med Rev. 2013;1:65–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lewis RW. In: Paulson DF, editor. The pharmacologic erection in the impotent man: problems in urology. Philadelphia: J.P. Lippincott; 1991. p. 541–58.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wagner G. The development of injection therapy. In: Wagner G, Kaplan HS, editors. The new injection treatment for impotence. New York: Brunner/Mazel; 1993. p. 18–29.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Zorgniotti A, Lefleur RS. Auto-injection of the corpus cavernosum with a vaso-active drug combination for vasculogenic impotence. J Urol. 1985;133:39–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Kunelius P, Lukkarinen O. Intracavernous self-injection of prostaglandin E1 in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Int J Impotence Res. 1999;11:21–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Porst H. Transurethral Alprostadil with MUSE™ (medicated urethral system for erection) vs intracavernous Alprostadil- a comparative study in 103 patients with erectile dysfunction. Int J Imptence Res. 1997;9:187–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Junemann KP, Alken P. Pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction: a review. Int J Impotence Res. 1989;1:71–93.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Belew D, Klassen Z, Lewis RW. Intracavernosal injection for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of erectile dysfunction: a review. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3:11–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lewis R, Puyau, Kerstein MD, Kaack MB. Corpus cavernosa outflow as defined by dynamic cavernosography. In: Ronald Virag, Helene Virag-Lappas, editors. Proceedings of the first world meeting on impotence. Paris: Les Editions du CERI; 1986. p. 138–42.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lewis RW. Venous ligation surgery for venous leakage. Int J Impotence Res. 1990;2:1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Rhee AC. Lewis RW. Vacuum systems for erectile dysfunction. In: Carson CC, Kirby RS, Goldstein I, Wyllie MG, editors. Textbook of erectile dysfunction. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2009. p. 291–7.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Carrion R, Bochinski D, Rahman N, Lue TF. Physiology and pharmacology of erectile dysfunction. In: Broderick GA, editor. Oral pharmacotherapy for male sexual dysfunction. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2003. p. 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  29. deGroat WC, Steers WD. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of penile erection. In: Tanagho EA, Lue TF, McClure RD, editors. Contemporary management of impotence and infertility. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1988. p. 3–27.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Carson CC, Kirby RS, Goldstein I, Wyllie MG. Textbook of erectile dysfunction. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2009. p. 25–119.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lewis RW, Fugl-Meyer KS, Corona G, et al. Definitions/epidemiology/risk factors for sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2010;7:1598–607.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. McCabe MP, Sharlip ID, Atalla E, et al. Definitions of sexual dysfunction in women and men: a consensus statement from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine 2015. J Sex Med. 2016;13:135–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. McCabe MP, Sharlip ID, Lewis R, et al. Incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women and men: a consensus statement from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine 2015. J Sex Med. 2016;13:144–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. McCabe MP, Sharlip ID, Lewis R, et al. Risk factors for sexual dysfunction among women and men: a consensus statement from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine 2015. J Sex Med. 2016;13:153–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lewis RW, Fugl-Meyer KS, Bosch R, Fugl-Meyer AR, Laumann EO, LIzza F, Martin A. Definitions, classification, and epidemiology of sexual dysfunction. In: Lue TF, Basson R, Rosen R, Giuliano F, and Khoury S, Montorsi F, editors. Sexual medicine: sexual dysfunction in men and women. Paris Health Publications; 2004. p. 39–72.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lewis RW, Parulkar BG, Johnson CM, Miller WE. Radiology of impotence. In: Lytton B, Catalona WJ, Lipshultz LI, McGuire EJ, editors. Advances in urology, vol III. Chicago: Mosby Year Book, Inc.; 1990. p. 132–53.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Karacan I. Clinical value of nocturnal erection in the prognosis and diagnosis of impotence. Med Asp Hum Sex. 1970;4:27–34.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Bradley WE, Timm GW, Gallagher JM, Johnson BK. New method for continuous measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity. Urology. 1985;26:4–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Slob AK, Blom JHM, Van Der Werft Ten Bosch J. Erectile problems in medical practice: differential diagnosis with relatively simple method. J Urol. 1990;143:46–50.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Rowland DL, Den Ouden AH, Slob AK. The use of vibrotactile stimulation for determining sexual potency in the laboratory in men with erectile problems: methodological considerations. Int J Impotence Res. 1994:153–61.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Goldstein I. Vasculogenic impotence: its diagnosis and treatment. In: deVere White R, editor. Problems in urology. Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1987. p. 547–63.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Lue TF, Hrick H, Marich KW, Tanagho EA. Vasculogenic impotence evaluated by high-resolution ultrasonography and pulsed Doppler spectrum analysis. Radiology. 1985;155:777–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Quam JP, King BF, James EM, Lewis RW, Brakke DM, Ilstrup DM, Parulkar BG, Hattery RR. Duplex and color Doppler sonographic evaluation of vasculogenic impotence. Am J Roentgenol. 1989;153:1141–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Hattery RR, King BF, Lewis RW, McKusick M. Vasculogenic impotence: duplex and color Doppler imaging. Radiol Clin North Am. 1991;29(3):629–35.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. King BF, Hattery RR, James FM, Lewis RW. Duplex sonography in the evaluation of impotence: current techniques. Semin Int Radiol. 1990;7(3–4):215–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Sikka SC, Hellstrom WJ, Brock G, Morales AM. Standardization of vascular assessment of erectile dysfunction: standard operating procedures for duplex ultrasound. J Sex Med. 2013;10:120–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Rosen RC, Riley A, Wagner G, et al. The international index of erectile function (IIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction. Urology. 1997;49:822–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Rosen RC, Brown C, Heiman J, et al. The female sexual function index (FSFI): a multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther. 2000;26:191–208.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Barrisford GW, O’Leary MP. Design, development, and use of questionnaires in the evaluation and management of erectile dysfunction. In: Carson CC, Kirby RS, Goldstein I, Wyllie MG, editors. Textbook of erectile dysfunction. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2009. p. 347–52.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Padma-Nathan H. Sildenafil citrate, the classic PDE-5 inhibitor. In: Broderick GA, editor. Oral pharmacotherapy for male sexual dysfunction—a guide to clinical management, Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2003. p. 65–83.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Levine LA, Lenting EL. A surgical algorithm for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease. J Urol. 1997;158:2149–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Ralph D, Gonzalez-Cadavid N, Mirone V, et al. The management of Peyronie’s disease: evidence-based 2010 guidelines. J Sex Med. 2010;7:2359–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Yafi FA, April D, Powers MK, et al. Penile priapism, clitoral priapism, and persistent genital arousal disorder: a contemporary review. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3:145–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. McMahon CG. Current and emerging treatments for premature ejaculation. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3:183–202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Sadowski MD, Butcher J, Kohler TS. A review of pathophysiology and management options for delayed ejaculation. Sex Med Rev. 2016;4:167–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Mills TM, Lewis RW. The role of androgens in the maintenance of the erectile response: a 1999 perspective. Molecular Urology. 1999;3:75–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Maggi M, Corona G, Forti G. Endocrinolgy of male sexual function. In: Carson CC, Kirby RS, Goldstein I, Wyllie MG, editors. Textbook of erectile dysfunction. New York, NY: Informa Healthcare; 2009. p. 61–71.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Dean JD, McMahon CG, Guay AT, et al. The international society for sexual medicine’s process of care for the assessment and management of testosterone deficiency. J Sex Med. 2015;12:1660–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Corona G, Isidori AM, Aversa A, et al. Endocrinologic control of men’s sexual desire and arousal/erection. J Sex Med. 2016;13:317–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Marson L, Giamberardino MA, Constantini R, et al. Animal models for the study of female sexual dysfunction. Sex Med Rev. 2013;1:108–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Khera M. Testosterone therapy of female sexual dysfunction. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3:137–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Parish SJ, Hahn R. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a review of epidemiology, biopsychology, diagnosis, and treatment. Sex Med Rev. 2016;4:103–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Davis SR, Worsley R, Miller KK, et al. Androgens and female sexual dysfunction-findings from the fourth international consultation of sexual medicine. J Sex Med. 2016;13:168–78.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Worsley R, Santoro N, Miller KK, et al. Hormones and female sexual dysfunction: beyond estrogens and androgens—findings from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine. J Sex Med. 2016;13:283–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Pukall CF, Goldstein AT, Bergeron S, et al. Vulvodynia: definition, prevalence, impact, and pathophysiological factors. J Sex Med. 2016;13:291–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Santoro N, Worsley R, Miller K, et al. Role of estrogens and estrogen-like compounds in female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2016;13:305–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Levin RJ, Both S, Georgiadis J, et al. The physiology of female sexual function and pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2016;13:733–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Jayne C, Simon JA, Taylor LV, et al. Open-label extension study of Flipanserin in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. J Sex Med. 2012;9:3180–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Gao Z, Yang D, Yu L, Cui Y. Efficacy and safety of Flibanserin in women with hypoactive sexual disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med. 2015;12:2095–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Room BA-8414, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA

    Ronald William Lewis

Authors
  1. Ronald William Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ronald William Lewis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cedars-Sinai Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Waguih William IsHak

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lewis, R.W. (2017). The History of Modern Sexual Medicine. In: IsHak, W. (eds) The Textbook of Clinical Sexual Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52539-6_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52539-6_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52538-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52539-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation