International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
2012 Annual Meeting
“Eros in Eden”
February 19 – 22, 2012
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Jerusalem, Israel

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למשתתפים ישראלים ללחוץ כאן

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Welcome Message

As the scientific program chair for this, the 2012 annual meeting, I welcome all of you to Jerusalem. This is the first time that the ISSWSH annual meeting has been held in Israel and the Scientific Program Committee has put forth a program that is fitting for such a historical location.

Our theme for this year’s meeting is Eros in Eden and we have symposia and state-of-the-art lectures that reflect both the historical context for understanding female sexuality as well as cutting-edge research that is driving the current and future direction of the field of female
sexual medicine.

Our first symposium, “The Couple”, will address how female sexuality is experienced, affects and is affected by a romantic relationship(s). Our presenters include David Schnarch, Aaron Ben-Ze’ev and Sandi Byers.

In keeping with the context of sexuality within a relationship, our second symposium addresses the topic of monogamy and is presented by Uli Clement, Cindy Meston and Jason Yee. Our third and fourth symposia focus on treatment for female sexual problems. More specifically, the third symposium is entitled “Differences in Treatment Paradigms between Europe and North America” and our speakers include Sheryl Kingsberg, Ellen Laan, Alessandra
Graziottin and Andrew Goldstein. Our final symposium is also a comparison of treatment paradigms between North America and Europe but specific to testosterone use, “Testosterone Use in North America vs. Europe” and our speakers include Jim Simon, Fernand Labrie, Kevan Wylie and Mario Maggi.

This year we have four state-of-the-art-lectures. Our first lecture, “Trauma and Sexuality” will precede our opening reception and will be given by Rachel Yehuda. Our second state-of-the-art lecture is also an IUGA (International Urogynecological Association) invited lecture and is entitled “Sexual Consequences of Gynecological Surgery” and will be given by Lior Lowenstein. Our third state-of-the-art lecture, “Sexuality after the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer” will be co-presented by Michael Krychman and Luca Incrocci. Johannes Bitzer will present our final state-of-the-art lecture and his topic is “Hormonal Contraception and its Impact on Sexuality”.

Our program will also include 4 oral abstract sessions, 3 lunch and learn programs, concurrent instructional courses, a stump the professor session and our annual Journal of Sexual Medicine debate.

I am indebted to my program co-chairs, Mario Maggi and Leah Millheiser and, in turn, the three of us our indebted to our Scientific Program Committee Members: Alan Altman, Johannes Bitzer, Lori Brotto, David Goldmeier, Irwin Goldstein, Anne Katz, Sheryl Kingsberg, Michael Krychman, Mijal Luria, Sharon Parish, Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum, and Anna Woloski Wruble. We’d also like to thank our Organizing Committee: Talli Yehuda Rosenbaum (Chair), Juza Chen, William Fisher, Alexander Greenstein, Ilan Gruenwald, Mijal Luria, Moshe Mock, and Anna Woloski Wruble, as well as the Local Planning Committee: Liora Abramov, Ronit Aloni, Ella Bar-Gai, R.H. Belmaker, Netta Beyar, Gila Bronner, Diana Fleischer, Rafi Heruti, Lior Lowenstein, Idan Militscher, Sharone Peleg Nesher, David Ribner, Arik Schechter, and Daniel Seidman. It is only because of the tireless efforts of these individuals that we are able to offer you this phenomenal program.

Join us for ISSWSH 2012!
Gail Knudson, MD
ISSWSH 2012 Scientific Program Chair

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMODATIONS

The Organizing Committee has appointed Ortra Ltd., a registered travel agent, as the official organizer and travel agent for the conference.

The conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at the entrance of Jerusalem. Rooms have already been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Jerusalem Hotel (conference venue, 5 star hotel), and Jerusalem Gold Hotel (3 star) which are offered to the conference participants at special reduced rates when booked through Ortra. Double and single occupancy rooms are available .

For more information or to make hotels reservations, please visit the ISSWSH 2012 Ortra website at: http://www.ortra.com/isswsh/  

Crowne Plaza Hotel Jerusalem (Conference Venue)
The Crowne Plaza Jerusalem Hotel is ideally located at the entrance to the capital, half an hour drive from Israel’s international airport. This 5 star hotel is the tallest building in the city and an impressive landmark. All rooms have balconies with panoramic views of the old city and new quarters, and breathtaking scenery of Judea hills in the background.

Jerusalem Gold Hotel
The Jerusalem Gold Hotel was designed by a world renowned architect to be a haven of tranquility and warmth set into the very hub of local and national transportation in Jerusalem. This 3 star hotel allows guests to enjoy the seemingly impossible combination of calm and serenity, with the ultimate accessibility.

ACCOMMODATION RATES

*Rates include one night accommodation, full Israeli breakfast buffet, service charge and taxes.

Important Note: Participants requesting to share a double room should clearly specify this on their Tourist Services Form. The Secretariat will not accept reservations for sharing double rooms unless both forms clearly state the name of the person with whom they are sharing a room. Online bookings and payment by credit card are on a secure server.

PAYMENT TERMS
Two nights deposit will be charged upon receipt of your “Reservation Form”. The rest of your tourist services reservation balance will be charged two weeks prior to your arrival. Payments will be refunded according to the cancellation policy.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Refund of payments made towards tourist services reservations will be refunded if written notification reaches Ortra Ltd. as follows:

• Cancellation within 14 days from date of the reservation (unless reservation was made during the 7 days prior to the conference) - Full refund with deduction of NIS 100 handling fee (approximatey $27 USD). From the 15th day after the date of the reservation and up to 14 days prior to the conference - Full refund with deduction of 1 night accommodation and NIS 100 handling fee (approximatey $27 USD).
• Cancellation during the 14 days prior to the conference - No refund.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS
The conference Secretariat will arrange upon request a private transfer from the airport to the selected conference hotels (up to 2 people) including airport assistance right after passport control for $165 USD. Participants who book this service should inform the Secretariat of their arrival details no later than one week prior to arrival and they will be met at the airport by Ortra’s representative.

Book Selling:
We are happy to provide the service of book selling to our ISSWSH members in attendance at the upcoming meeting.  If you'd like ISSWSH to act as a vendor at our meeting, you will be responsible for shipping and delivering your books on your own to Jerusalem.  Please bring your books with you when you check in on-site.  ISSWSH will sell the books throughout the conference, collect the fees (process credit cards/checks etc.) and will keep 10% to cover the related costs.  If you have further questions, please email: Christine@wjweiser.com

TOURIST VISAS INFORMATION

All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country.

Individuals from countries, who require an entry visa to Israel, should contact the Israel Embassy/Consulate in their country in order to obtain their tourist visa. For a list of Israeli missions abroad, please refer to Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs site.

Letters of invitations will be issued by the Conference Secretariat to bona fide participants only. Requests should be sent on the official letterhead of the applicants’ company / organization. Individuals from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel, should write to the Conference Secretariat, no later than three months prior to the Conference, giving their full name, date and place of birth, passport number, date of issue and expiry, date of arrival and flight details. The Secretariat will do its best efforts to arrange for a visa to be issued at the airport upon arrival however the granting of such requests is at the discretion of the authorities in Israel.

Important note for tourists continuing from Israel on to Arab countries (Except Egypt and Jordan): It is recommended that you request that an Israeli stamp does not appear on your passport. You must notify the clerk at the passport control of your request before your documents are stamped.

Note: Passport and visa requirements may change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with the Israeli Embassy/ Consulate or with their travel agent

OPTIONAL TOURS

The Organizing Committee has appointed Ortra Ltd., a registered travel agent, as the official organizer and travel agent for the conference.

Several optional tours are available before and after the ISSWSH 2012 Annual Meeting. For more information or to register for optional pre- and post-tours, please visit the ISSWSH 2012 Ortra website at: http://www.ortra.com/isswsh/  

Pre-Tour Options

Pre-Tour 1: Tel Aviv, Costal Road Galilee, Safed (3 day tour)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Arrivals, transfer from Ben- Gurion airport to Tel Aviv.
Overnight in Tel Aviv

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Depart Tel Aviv and drive north along the coastal road to Caesarea, Visit the ancient harbor and magnificent antiquities of Caesarea that still hold the magic of Roman times. The city underwent vast changes under Herod the Great, who renamed it Caesarea in honor of the emperor. In 22 BCE he began construction of a deep sea harbor and built storerooms, markets, wide roads, baths, temples to Rome and Augustus, and imposing public buildings.

Every five years, the city hosted major sports competitions, gladiator games and theatrical productions on for an overlook of Megiddo, a central stop on the greatest trading route of ancient world, also known as Armageddon from the Book of Revelation. Drive to Safed and visit ancient synagogues and artists’ colony. Continue to Mt Meron- burial place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. You will then drive to Tiberias, Israel’s lowest city at 200 meters below sea level located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and Overnight at a Kibbutz Hotel in the Galilee

Thursday, February 16, 2012
Depart from the Kibbutz and ascend to the Golan Heights with an overview from Hammat Gader of triangular border
with Syria, Jordan and Israel.

Onwards visit the city of Katzrin, the Talmudic capital of the Golan. Visit the ancient synagogue of Katzrin. The last stop will be at a local Golan Winery where you will experience the local flavor of Israel.
Dinner and Overnight at Kibbutz Hotel in the Galilee

Friday, February 17, 2012
Depart for Rosh Hanikra and see the striking white cliffs and the beautiful beaches. You will board the cable car and
experience a magnificent view as you descend down a 210-foot cliff. The tour continues to Acre where you visit the old Crusader underground city. The city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 and was one of the region’s most important cities in ancient times. Acre still holds remnants of the Crusaders, the Ottomans,
and even Napoleon, who once tried to conquer this walled city.

Continue onto Haifa, the third largest city in Israel. You will have a breathtaking view of the city and port from the top of Mount Carmel and walk through the unique atmosphere of the impressive Hanging Gardens of the world-famous Bahai Shrine. The tour will conclude in Jerusalem.
Overnight in Jerusalem

Rate per person in a double room: $560 USD
Rate per person in a single room: $750 USD
Rate includes: Arrival transfer, 3 days of touring with a licensed English speaking guide, 1 night accommodation in Tel Aviv 2 nights at a Galilee Kibbutz hotel, 2 dinners, entrance fees as per program, air conditioned bus.

Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem on Friday, February 17, 2012, lunches, tips, dinner on February 14, and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Pre-Tour 2: Dead Sea & Massada, (1 day tour)
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Depart Jerusalem for a full-day tour of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. Visit the delightful Ein Gedi Spa, and take a relaxing swim in the Dead Sea - 420 meters (1,378 ft) below sea level. Biblically, it was a place of refuge for King David and was one of the world’s first health resorts for Herod the Great. The rich mineral products from the Dead Sea are used for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments, as well as for manufacturing the famous Dead Sea cosmetics lines. The tour continues to Massada, a rugged natural fortress of majestic beauty and history – where you will ascend by cable car to the top of the mountain. Massada became a famous landmark after the first Jewish-Roman war. The siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site’s Jewish Sicarii fugitives when defeat became imminent.
Overnight in Jerusalem

Rate per person: $90 USD
Rate includes: 1 day tour with a licensed English speaking tour guide, air conditioned bus, entrance fees as per program.
Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem, lunches, dinners, tips, departure transfer and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Pre-Tour 3: Half Day Tour of Jerusalem
Sunday, February, 19, 2012
Depart from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Jerusalem for a half day tour.
Panoramic overview of the old and new city of Jerusalem. Along the Kidron Valley view the garden of Gethsemane,
the wall of the old city & Mt of Olives. Enter the old city via Armenian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Cardo, Western wall, Moslem Quarter, The tour will continue to the Christian Quarter where we will walk the path of the famed Via Dolorosa (“Path of Grief”), - Christ’s last moments - from the time of his trial to the time of his crucifixion. While in the Christian Quarter, you will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of Resurrection.

The Church is one of the holiest sites for the Christian world. Christ was crucified and buried on the grounds in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now rests. The tour continues to Yad- Vashem- Holocaust Museum.

Rate per person: $45 USD
Rate includes: 1 day tour with a licensed English speaking tour guide, air conditioned bus, entrance fees as per program.
Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem, lunch, dinner, tips, departure transfer and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Post-Tour Options

Post-Tour 1: Jerusalem
Half Day Tour of Jerusalem
Wednesday, February, 22, 2012
Depart from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Jerusalem for a half day tour of the old city of Jerusalem.

The tour will begin with a short walk to the Jaffa Gate. We will continue to the Jewish Quarter where you will visit the Western Wall (Kotel), one of the holiest Jewish sites on earth. The Western Wall is a remnant of the Herodian wall that once enclosed and supported the Second Temple; it is also known as the “Wailing Wall”.

The tour will continue to the Christian Quarter where we will walk the path of the famed Via Dolorosa (“Path of Grief”), - Christ’s last moments - from the time of his trial to the time of his crucifixion. While in the Christian Quarter, you will visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of Resurrection. The Church is one of the holiest sites for the Christian world. Christ was crucified and buried on the grounds in Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter, where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now rests.

Rate per person: $45 USD
Rate includes: 1 day tour with a licensed English speaking tour guide, air conditioned bus, entrance fees as per program.
Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem, dinner, tips, departure transfer and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Post-Tour 2: Dead Sea & Massada (one day tour)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Depart Jerusalem for a full-day tour of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea - the lowest point on earth. Visit the
delightful Ein Gedi Spa, and take a relaxing swim in the Dead Sea - 420 meters (1,378 ft) below sea level. Biblically, it was a place of refuge for King David and was one of the world’s first health resorts for Herod the Great. The rich mineral products from the Dead Sea are used for therapeutic and cosmetic treatments, as well as for manufacturing the famous Dead Sea cosmetics lines. The tour continues to Massada, a rugged natural fortress of majestic beauty and history - where you will ascend by cable car to the top of the mountain. Massada became a famous landmark after the first Jewish-Roman war. The siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site’s Jewish Sicarii fugitives when defeat became imminent.
Overnight in Jerusalem

Rate per person: $90 USD
Rate includes: 1 day tour with a licensed English speaking tour guide, air conditioned bus, entrance fees as per program.
Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem, lunch, dinner, tips, departure transfer and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Post-Tour 3: Dead Sea & Massada, Nazareth, Galilee, Tel Aviv (4 day tour)
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Same as Post Tour 1

Friday, February 24, 2012
Depart Jerusalem and drive north to Megiddo, a central stop on the greatest trading route of ancient world, also known as Armageddon from the Book of Revelation. The tour will then take you to Nazareth, the city where Jesus spent his youth. Visit the Church of the Annunciation, a modern Catholic Church built over the remains of Byzantine and Crusader churches including the cave in which the Virgin Mary received the news that she would give birth to Jesus. Then continue to Cana of the Galilee, where according to the Fourth Gospel, Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding where He turned water into wine. You will then drive to Tiberias, Israel’s lowest city at 200 meters below sea level located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and Overnight at a Kibbutz Hotel in the Galilee

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Depart from Kibbutz and drive to Tabgha, the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee, the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes in Christianity. Continuing onto the Mt. of Beatitudes, the hill upon which Jesus was said to have preached the “Sermon on the Mount”. Stop at Capernaum, the town reported to have been the home of Jesus. Drive to the Banias, the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, the local center of the Cult of Pan and, as being close to the source of the Jordan, had the river gushing out of a cave that led people to believe it was the gateway to the underworld. The tour will then take you to the Golan Heights, Israel’s picturesque mountainous northern region with lovely nature reserves, historic and archeological sites. Visit the city of Katzrin and the ancient synagogue, and then drive to Mt. Bental for a panoramic view of the triangular border with Syria, Jordan and Israel. The last stop will be at a local Golan Winery where you will experience the local flavor of Israel.
Dinner and Overnight at Kibbutz Hotel in the Galilee

Sunday February 26, 2012
Depart for Rosh Hanikra and see the striking white cliffs and the beautiful beaches. You will board the cable car and experience a magnificent view as you descend down a 210-foot cliff. The tour continues to Acre where you visit the old Crusader underground city. The city was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001and was one of the region’s most important cities in ancient times.

Acre still holds remnants of the Crusaders, the Ottomans, and even Napoleon, who once tried to conquer this walled city. Continue onto Haifa, the third largest city in Israel. You will have a breathtaking view of the city and port from the top of Mount Carmel and walk through the unique atmosphere of the impressive Hanging Gardens of the world-famous Bahai Shrine. The tour will conclude in Tel Aviv.
Overnight in Tel Aviv

Rate per person in a double room: $605 USD
Rate per person in a single room: $795 USD
Rate includes: 4 days of touring with a licensed English speaking guide, 2 nights at a Galilee Kibbutz hotel, 1 night accommodation in Tel Aviv, 2 dinners, entrance fees as per program, air conditioned bus.
Rate does not include: Overnight in Jerusalem on Thursday, February 23, 2012, lunches, tips, dinner on February 26, departure transfer, and other personal expenses.

**Tour requires a minimum of 15 participants.

Accreditation, Educational Needs & Objectives

Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 26.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Conflict Resolution Statement
The University of Oklahoma College Of Medicine, Office of Continuing Professional Development has reviewed this activity’s speaker and planner disclosures and resolved all identified conflicts of interest, if applicable.

Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.

Educational Needs
The purpose of this CME program is to provide primary care physicians, gynecologists, urologists, psychologists and other sexual health professionals with expert consensus on current female sexual medicine evaluation and therapeutic strategies.

Female sexual problems are common in medical practice, and state of the art diagnostic and management strategies are available for women. More than 40% of female respondents in a national survey of women in heterosexual relationships reported sexual problems.

The results of this study also revealed that 64% experienced desire difficulty; 35% experienced orgasm difficulty; 31% experienced arousal difficulty; 26% experienced sexual pain; and 62-89% had problems persisting for at least several months, of which 25-28% persisted for six months or more. Only 15% of women with a sexual problem during the postnatal period reported discussing it with a health-care professional. Educating physicians and other health care providers in interpersonal and communication skills are the basics for sexual history-assessment and the management of female sexual dysfunction.

Educational Objectives

• Interpret the current state of the art knowledge in epidemiology, physiology and pathophysiology of female sexual function and dysfunction
• Assess female sexual dysfunction using history and physical, psychometrically validated inventories, blood tests, neurological and blood flow testing
• Apply medical and surgical treatments available for woman with sexual dysfunction presenting in a community setting
• Distinguish when to treat the woman with sexual dysfunction in the office and when to refer her to a psychologist, physical therapist or sexual medicine physician

General Disclaimer of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health
The statements and opinions contained in this program are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. The appearance of the advertisements is not a warranty, endorsement or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The content of this publication may contain discussion of off-label uses of some of the agents mentioned.

Please consult the prescribing information for full disclosure of approved uses. The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health disclaims responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas or products referred to in the abstracts or advertisements.

Special Assistance
We encourage participation by all individuals. If you have a disability, advance notification of any special needs will help us better serve you. Call (847) 517-7225 if you require special assistance to fully participate in the meeting.