In this episode we talk with Lillian Kreppel, whose diagnosis with stage III anal cancer led her to become a passionate advocate for patients. She's the Executive Director and co-founder of the HPV Cancers Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the spectrum of HPV-associated cancers, including among the medical community. HPV Cancers Alliance: https://hpvca.org/lillians-story/ ASHA's HPV Q&A: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/human_papilloma_virus/

More than 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. in 2022. In this episode of the Sex+Health podcast, we talk with Laura H. Bachmann, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of STD Prevention, for her thoughts on what's driving the epidemic and why sexually transmitted infections much be treated as a public health priority.

In part three of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Laura Graham Holmes, Ph.D., about health disparities, sexuality, and research. Dr. Laura Graham Holmes is a clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor at CUNY Hunter College in the Silberman School of Social Work. She is a nationally recognized expert on sexuality and relationships for autistic people. She has published 30 peer-reviewed papers. Her passion is co-designing peer-facilitated interventions with and for autistic people on aspects of life that are important but under-supported, such as healthy relationships, sexual health, LGBTQIA+ identity, and substance use. LINK: https://sssw.hunter.cuny.edu/staff-members/holmes-laura-g/

In part two of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Nellie Galindo, MSW, MPH, and AASECT Professional Member, about implicit bias and ableism. She is the founder of Accessible Sexual Health, which is a mission-driven organization that seeks to advance access to comprehensive sex education for people with disabilities. She provides training, resources, and consultation for organizations and individuals who are seeking comprehensive, sex-positive, neurodiverse-affirming, and disability-centered sexual health education. LINKS: Website: https://www.accessiblesexualhealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accessiblesexualhealth/ Studies referenced in the episode: Kolata, G. (2022, October 19). These doctors admit they don’t want patients with disabilities. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/19/health/doctors-patients-disabilities.html Parekh, T., Gimm, G., & Kitsantas, P. (2023). Sexually transmitted infections in women of reproductive age by disability type. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(3), 393–404. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074937972200530X Brennand, E. A., & Santinele Martino, A. (2022). Disability is associated with sexually transmitted infection: Severity and female sex are important risk factors. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 31(1), 91–102. https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/full/10.3138/cjhs.2021-0053?role=tab Schmidt, E. K., Hand, B. N., Simpson, K. N., & Darragh, A. R. (2019). Sexually transmitted infections in privately insured adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of comparative effectiveness research, 8(8), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2019-0011 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30838884/

In part one of our Disability & Sexual Health Series, we chat with Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, about sex education. She is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals, parents, and individuals to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators. Links: Organization: https://www.elevatustraining.com/ Resources: https://www.elevatustraining.com/resources-2/

In this episode we chat with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kristal DeSantis, M.A., about men, relationships, and masculinity in the modern world. Ms. DeSantis, a psychotherapist and sex educator, is author of the book STRONG: The Relationship Field Guide for the Modern Man. LINKS: Kristals DeSantis: https://www.austinstrongrbc.com/meet-kristal Krista's Book: https://www.austinstrongrbc.com/strong-the-book

In this episode we chat about HPV and head and neck cancers, specifically those of the oropharynx (the area of the throat just behind the oral cavity, so the base of the tongue, soft palate, the tonsils and the walls of the throat) with none other than SupermanHPV himself, Jason Mendelsohn. Listen as Mr. Mendelsohn shares his experiences as a patient with stage 4 HPV-related tonsil cancer - chemo, radiation, surgery, and a crash course in dealing with a head and neck tumor – along with his advice for patients and caregivers.

In this episode we chat with Helen Epstein, the author of Getting Through It: My Year of Cancer During Covid in which she chronicles her diagnosis with endometrial cancer and dealing with treatment and its aftermath as a pandemic gripped the world. Resources: Ms. Epstein’s website is http://www.helenepstein.com Getting Through It: My Year of Cancer During Covid: http://www.helenepstein.com/gti.html%20/

In this episode we talk with cervical cancer survivor Jolene Whisler, the leader of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition’s Peoria, IL chapter. Listen to Ms. Whisler’s insights for patients on making treatment easier, talking effectively with the medical team and practicing self-care. Jolene Whisler’s NCCC chapter page: https://www.nccc-online.org/nccc-central-illinois-peoria-chapter NCCC’s Stories of Cervical Cancer: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD1EE22F29C5EBEC2 Inspire: https://www.inspire.com/groups/national-cervical-cancer-coalition

The fourth installment in our series on trichomoniasis (“trich”) infections focuses on the psychosocial impact of trich. In our conversation with Ina Park, MD, we explore common questions that emerge following a trich diagnosis including how long may one have had the infection before it was detected, what partners need to know in terms of testing and treatment, and how patients and health professionals alike can become empowered to discuss sexual health including testing for STIs like trich. Dr. Park is Associate Professor, Family Community Medicine, University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine. Dr. Park’s website: https://www.inapark.net/ Finding the Right Health Care Provider: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/your-healthcare-provider/ Trichomoniasis - Fast Facts: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/trichomoniasis/ Taking a Sexual History for Health Care Providers: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/healthcare-providers/

We continue our series on trichomoniasis (“trich”) infections with a detailed focus on treatment options. With estimates of more than two million cases annually in the U.S., trich is often without obvious symptoms but, undetected and untreated, can lead to health issues including a greater risk of contracting or transmitting HIV and pregnancy complications including early delivery and low-birth weight babies. Learn more about treatment options for trich in our conversation with Dr. Patty Kissinger, an infectious disease epidemiologist and professor with the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs.

Trichomoniasis (“trich”) is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection globally, affecting all demographics but with a disproportionate impact on women and marginalized communities. We’re chatting in this episode with Denise Linton, DNS, RN, FNP, FAANP about the systemic reasons behind the high rates of trich and other STIs in under-served populations and what we can do to promote health equity among those most in need. Questions or feedback about this episode? Drop us a line at info@ashasexualhealth.org.

With roughly two million cases in the U.S., trichomoniasis ("trich") is the most common STI you've never heard of. Most cases don't have obvious symptoms but undetected trich can make it more like to contract or transmit other STIs (like HIV) and the infection is linked to pre-term delivery and low-birth weight babies. Today we chat with Dr. Bobbie Van Der Pol, a professor in the schools of medicine and public health with the University of Alabama, Birmingham where she’s a scientist with the UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health. Dr. Van Der Pol is also president of the International Society for STD Research. Resources: ASHA's Trichomoniasis Information Page: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/trichomoniasis/ Ten Questions to Ask Your Provider about Sexual Health: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/your-healthcare-provider/

If you’re a sexually active person— or even if you’re not right now—you probably have questions about your sexual health. Like, should I be tested for STIs? Which ones? Or what are my options for preventing pregnancy? You also might have questions about your libido and why it’s so low…or so high, and whether that’s normal. Or why sex is painful, or getting an erection is so difficult. It’s not always easy to bring these topics up, and it may not be clear exactly what questions you should be asking about your sexual health. So how do you overcome your own hesitancy or embarrassment and start that conversation with your healthcare provider? That’s what we’re talking about on this episode of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast. To help us out with this conversation we have two sexual health experts—Martha Kempner and Logan Levkoff.

This is one of the most powerful stories we've bring able to chronicle. In this episode we're joined by a very special guest, Eve McDavid, a Google Strategy Executive and Femtech entrepreneur who was diagnosed with stage IIb cervical cancer in January 2020 just one month before her second child was due and two months before COVID shut down much of the country! Come along with us as Eve recounts her journey of navigating cancer and pregnancy in a medical system overwhelmed with a pandemic. Strong, much? You better believe she is! Eve's Website: https://evemcdavid.com/

Award-winning actress Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black and Better Things) talks with NCCC about preventing cervical cancer through education and activism

Elle Smith, the newly crowned Miss USA, is also an NCCC chapter leader! Elle is using her reign to promote cervical cancer awareness and chatted with us about her exciting plans for 2022. Elle's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellesmithtv?s=20

Cervical cancer is preventable and that's something to celebrate. We still have work to do though as some communities - especially people of color and rural residents - tend to be diagnosed with cervical cancer more frequently (and often with a more advanced stage). In this episode with chat with Denise Linton, DNS, RN, FNP, FAANP to explore ways to make medical care more accessible and welcoming for everyone. Dr. Linton also offers insights on the value of clinical trials in developing new therapies and how we can do a better job of making them far more inclusive.

Continuing our two-part series on head and neck cancer today we talk with Dr. Michael Moore, a professor and physician with the Indiana University School of Medicine and president of the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Dr. Moore discusses the connection between HPV and certain head and neck tumors; symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment; prevention strategies including vaccination against HPV; and how to talk with your health care provider. Part one of this series features an interview with a head and neck cancer survivor, Mr. Bob Cupps, and is available here. https://soundcloud.com/asha_sexual_health/head-and-neck-cancer

There are about 61 million women of reproductive age in the United States, many of whom will use some type of birth control for several decades. There are lots of options available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this episode we're talking with Dr. Noor Dasouki Abu-Alnadi, known as "Dr. Noor" to her patients, to explore what's available including several new and exciting options. Links: ASHA's Resources on Birth Control and Contraception Options: https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/reproductive-health/