Virtual Pop-Up: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Sexual Pain and Dysfunction in Younger Populations
Co-hosted by the International Pelvic Pain Society & APTA Pelvic Health
Event Overview
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.
This virtual pop-up event will be co-hosted by the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APTA Pelvic Health).
Schedule
- Monday, April 27, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST | Attitude and Words Matter! Shifting Provider Language from Sexual “Tolerance” to Participation
- Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST | “A Glass of Wine” Not Cutting It – Painful Intercourse in Younger Women
- Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST | Timing Matters! – The Female Sexual Response Cycle & Sexual Pain
- Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST | What About Ken?: Sexual Dysfunction and Pain in Younger Men?
Learning Objectives
By the end of this pop-up, participants will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Event Highlights
- 4 educational sessions (90 minutes each) with leading experts
- 6 total contact hours
- Live 30-min Q&A session after each session with presenters
- On-demand access to all recordings
- Post-event exam & survey in the Learning Center
- Digital badge & Certificate of Completion
Educational Session Lineup
Monday, April 27, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST
- IPPS Presentation: Alexandra Milspaw, PhD, LCP, CST
- APTA Pelvic Health Presentation: Rose Schlaff, DPT, WHC, IF
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST
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
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST
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
Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EST
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
APTA Pelvic Health and IPPS members receive $10 off registration!
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For APTA Pelvic Health members:
Use the coupon code SEXUALHEALTH10 at checkout.
Please log in to your Academy member account before registering so the system can verify your membership and apply the discount.
Note: This discount cannot be applied retroactively to previous purchases.
Not yet a member? Join APTA Pelvic Health! - For IPPS members:
Stay tuned—your discount code will be provided directly by IPPS.
Note: This discount cannot be applied retroactively to previous purchases.
Not yet an IPPS member? Join IPPS!
Sponsor this Pop-Up Event
Sponsor the Academy’s Virtual Pop-Up Events to connect your brand with a highly engaged global audience of PTs, PTAs, and SPTs exploring cutting-edge topics in pelvic and abdominal health.
Price: $300 Secure Your Sponsorship
Email Campaign Exposure
- 2 banner ads in our newsletter (1200px W * 500px H) with your URL
- 1 banner ad in our exclusive event e-blast (1200px W * 500px H) with your URL
Social Media Coverage
- 3 Facebook / Instagram Story Posts (1080px W * 1920px H) with your URL
Recognition During the Event
- Your logo on a PowerPoint slide during the live Virtual Pop-Up
- Your logo + URL on the event webpage
- Your logo + URL in our Learning Center
Giveaways (Optional)
- 3 giveaway opportunities – winner contact details will be shared for prize coordination
Additional Online Visibility
- 1-month banner ad + URL on our PT Locator webpage (1200px W * 500px H)
Exclusive Showcase Video
- A 3-minute showcase video presented during the live event
Save on Registration
APTA Pelvic Health Members
Use this Academy member-exclusive coupon code 'SEXUALHEALH10' to save $10 on your registration. Please note that you must log in to your Academy member account before registering for the event so that the website can recognize your membership and let you use this coupon code. This discount code may not be applied retroactively to past purchases. Not yet a member? Join APTA Pelvic Health!
IPPS Members
Your discount code will be provided directly by IPPS. Note: This discount cannot be applied retroactively to previous purchases or combined with other discount offers.
Not yet an IPPS member? Join IPPS!