Research delves into causes of nightmares that shadow female survivors of sexual trauma

A new study attempts to shed light on triggers of post-trauma nightmare occurrences -- a topic that has received scant study.
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Sexual Safety On Mental Health Wards

This report calls for new national guidance to improve the sexual safety of people and staff on mental health wards, following analysis of how mental health trusts in England report sexual incidents.  Click here to read King's Fund blog

Sexual safety on mental health wards

Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals, lead for mental health, Dr Paul Lelliott has written to specialist mental health NHS trusts in England to inform them of an upcoming workshop to explore what can be done to improve sexual safety on mental health wards and thank trusts for engaging with CQC on this work. Click here to see CQC website

Physios in Valentine's campaign to encourage men and women to ‘pucker up’

Physiotherapists are using Valentine’s Day to highlight that pelvic floor training is not just for bladder problems but also for sexual function.
Read more about the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy campaign at http://www.csp.org.uk/news/2018/02/13/physios-valentines-campaign-encourage-men-women-pucker

NIHR Signal Starting antiretroviral therapy immediately after HIV diagnosis reduces transmission of the virus

Giving antiretroviral therapy to people newly diagnosed with HIV may be an effective and cost-effective way of reducing new infections. Increased HIV testing in at-risk populations may identify more people for treatment and also reduce infection rates.


Using data from a number of sources including NIHR funded projects, researchers developed a computer simulation model. The model looked at the relationship between HIV infections, sexual risk behaviours and antiretroviral therapy over a 30 year period. Introduction of antiretroviral therapies and increased condom use were associated with lower rates of new cases. Most new HIV infections arose due to people not yet being aware of their HIV status. Modelling projections suggested that increasing the rate of HIV testing, and initiating antiretroviral therapy from diagnosis could both reduce the rates of new infections.


From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

Topsalysin for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a medical term that is used to describe enlargement of the prostate gland. It is not a cancer and is usually not a serious threat to health if well-treated. Most males aged 50 years and above will develop BPH. As the prostate gets bigger, it can place pressure on the bladder and it may squeeze or partly block the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. This often causes problems with passing urine and may also cause other complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections, blockage of the bladder outlet, and kidney failure.
Topsalysin is a new medicine that is under development for the treatment of BPH. It acts on a specific receptor on the cell surface of prostate cells leading to shrinkage of these cells. It is delivered through an injection directly into the prostate, precisely shrinking the enlarged prostate tissue without damaging neighbouring tissue and nerves. This is believed to diminish the risk of side effects. If licensed, topsalysin will offer a new treatment option for patients with BPH.


From the NIHR Innovation Observatory

Increased Risk for Suicidal Thoughts Among Transgender Students

Emerging evidence suggests school-based mental health services are urgently needed to protect against suicidal thoughts among transgender students.

A new study discovered that nearly 35 percent of transgender youth in California reported suicidal thoughts in the past year, almost double that of non-transgender youth.

Sexual health, reproductive health and HIV: a review of commissioning

This report from Public Health England outlines the findings of a 2016 survey, carried out jointly with the Association of Directors of Public Health, which aimed to gain a clear picture of the commissioning arrangements for sexual health, reproductive health and HIV services. The survey found that whilst there has been progress in improving services and the development of collaborative approaches there is also evidence of structural concerns which have the potential to impede effective commissioning. Key findings from the survey highlight the fragmentation of commissioning, barriers to access for those at greatest risk, increasing financial pressures and patient demand, and workforce concerns.

WHO issues warning about rise of drug-resistant gonorrhoea

"Gonorrhoea fast becoming 'untreatable', WHO experts warn," reports Sky News.

Analysis of data from 77 countries by the World Health Organization (WHO) found antibiotic resistance exists against almost all antibiotics currently used to treat the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhoea.

In this study, a WHO group outlined a new strategy to support the research and development of new treatments for gonorrhoea. Preventing the spread of the STI is also of paramount importance.

Men find self-testing acceptable to test for sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and treatable but men are more reluctant than women to have a test. Self-testing is known to be accurate, but can men use this more?

Most men aged 18-35 would be willing to collect and send off a urine sample using a kit to test for STIs, according to a national survey. GP surgeries were the most popular place to collect kits, followed by pharmacies and sexual health clinics.

Other venues might be useful extra places to distribute testing kits and increase their use. About half of young men play football, and half of them are willing to collect kits from the club they play at. Extra advice from a health advisor or team captain does not seem to increase the use of these tests. However, none of the 90 men tested in this study had an infection, so football clubs may not be the best place to find men with undetected STIs.

Consolidated guideline on sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV

The starting point for this WHO guideline is the point at which a woman has learnt that she is living with HIV, and it therefore covers key issues for providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights-related services and support for women living with HIV. As women living with HIV face unique challenges and human rights violations related to their sexuality and reproduction within their families and communities, as well as from the health-care institutions where they seek care, particular emphasis is placed on the creation of an enabling environment to support more effective health interventions and better health outcomes.

Comparison of self-collected metal swabs with urine specimens for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in men

Journal of Medical Microbiology 66: 134-136, doi: 10.1099/jmm.0.000428

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are common bacterial causes of sexually transmitted infections. Self-taken meatal swabs are a possible alternative to urine samples in testing for infection; however, the data surrounding their use are limited.

Meatal samples were not inferior to urine samples for the detection of CT and GC. Male urethral meatal self-sampling offers an alternative sample type when compared to male urine specimens.

UHCW Research: Berry, Lisa

Hypertestosteronemia and infertility from a mediastinal extragonadal germ cell tumor

Am J Med. 2017 Feb 1. pii: S0002-9343(17)30101-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.01.010. [Epub ahead of print]
UHCW Research: Dimitriadis GK, Kaltsas G, Ghobara T, Sinha B, Drakou EE, Gopalakrishnan K, Keay SD, Grammatopoulos DK, Randeva HS

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): managing outbreaks

Guidance on How to investigate and manage STI outbreaks, published by Public Health England,

Female genital mutilation: RCN guidance for sexual health care

The publication Female Genital Mutilation: An RCN Resource for Nursing and Midwifery Practice (RCN, 2016) provides detailed information on aspects of FGM. With advances in understanding and updated legislation, there is a need for more specific support for those working in some defined areas of health care practice. 

As a result, this publication acts as a supplement and focuses on those professionals working in sexual health care services, such as sexual health clinics, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and children services.

Sexual and reproductive health in England: local and national data

This information provides an overview of the information available on sexually transmitted infection (STIs), HIV, contraception, conception and abortion and where to access it. It is divided into indicators (used for tracking progress), detailed local information (collation and interpretation of local intelligence) and national resources (tables and reports).

National Clinical Audit of STIs and HIV: Feasibility Study Report

The UK has a significant problem with sexual ill health, with half a million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in 2014, many more undiagnosed and a worsening profile.

 In 2014, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) commissioned MEDFASH (Medical Foundation for HIV and Sexual Health) to conduct a feasibility study. The purpose was to explore and evaluate the feasibility, and inform the design, of a future national clinical audit of STIs and HIV, specifically concerning the management of HIV1 , gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

Key concerns identified were the impact and onward transmission of STIs, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in gonorrhoea, and continuing high rates of late HIV diagnosis.

Sexual health promotion and contraceptive services in local authorities: A systematic review of economic evaluations 2010-2015

Since 2013, health commissioners in England’s local authorities have been responsible for sexual health services, including contraception, HIV testing, STI testing and treatment, health education and specialist sexual health services. Effective commissioning requires information to indicate which interventions may, or may not, be cost-effective. However, current UK guidance and recent research on the cost-effectiveness of sexual health services provides patchy and fragmented evidence. This study aims systematically to review the evidence available on the cost-effectiveness of OECD-based interventions relevant to UK local authority-commissioned sexual health services.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): surveillance, data, screening and management

The surveillance and epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from Public Health England.

New guidelines for the treatment of 3 common sexually transmitted infections

WHO has released new treatment guidelines for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.