About
Research informs advocacy and data to advance patient care and medical education. With the growth of medical knowledge as well as the evolution of preexisting health disparities, the significance of sex- and gender-based differences has become increasingly apparent and research has continued to be lacking. My research has focused on underdressed topics including but not limited to, the experience of medical trauma in patients seeking diagnosis for chronic pelvic pain, treatment of a type of pathology of the clitoris called clitoral adhesions, and the inclusion of female sexual medicine topics in medical school education.
Clitoral adhesions occur when the prepuce adheres to the glans. These adhesions have been found in up to 22% of females seeking evaluation for sexual dysfunction.This research provides a background of existing knowledge on the prevalence, presentation, etiology, associated conditions, and management of clitoral adhesions and to identify areas for future research.
Although approximately 41% of females experience sexual dysfunction, there is limited education on female sexual medicine (FSM) in medical school and physicians ofter report underpreparedness in addressing these conditions.This study aims to evaluate the extent to which FSM is represented in medical education by examining current preclinical and clinical curricula.
A non-surgical intervention can be used to manage clitoral adhesions. This study is the largest to date to look at this procedure's efficacy and patient satisfaction. After this procedure, a large majority of participants reported improvement in pain (76%), sexual arousal (63%), and ability to achieve orgasm (64%) and no participants reported worsening in these symptoms. Of the 16 women that reported the inability to orgasm from external clitoral stimulation prior to the procedure, 6 (38%) were able to do so afterwards.
The Representation of Female Sexual Medicine & Genital Anatomy in a USMLE Step 1 Resource
This analysis compares the resource's inclusion of male versus female sexual medicine and aims to identify gaps which may improve future training. The USMLE Step 1 First Aid Book plays a central role in shaping preclinical medical education. The findings reveal significant disparities between the coverage of male and female sexual medicine.
Reproductive medicine has been significantly impacted by the pandemic We gathered conclusions drawn on the impact of COVID-19 infection on maternal & neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as on counseling patients on vaccination. We compiled proposals to mitigate risk and to maximize safe evaluation and treatment for GCs during the pandemic.
This study is a 2021 Research Grant Recipient from The ISSWSH Scholars in Women’s Sexual Health It was created to investigate why patients have felt discouraged to seek care despite having untreated symptoms. Patient advocates were consulted during the designing of this study. Read more about the study on blog section of this website.