Human Sexuality Resources

Promotion of Sexual Health lists many of the most relevant developments concerning sexual health that have occurred in the past twenty-five years, including: definition and consolidation of the field of reproductive health; advances in knowledge in the field of human sexuality; the emergence of the HIV pandemic and increased awareness of the impact of other sexually transmitted infections; recognition of violence, including sexual violence, especially against women, children and sexual minorities, as a serious public health issue; recognition of sexual rights as human rights; increased advocacy by social movements for recognition, respect and the protection of the rights of sexual minorities; and development of effective and safe medications to modify and improve the sexual functioning of individuals.

As the sexual health knowledge base expands, it becomes a challenge to locate web-based information intended for professional use. This list covers Internet resources, primarily from the U.S., on the many facets of human sexuality. It is hoped that these resources will be especially useful to healthcare and social services providers, educators, and policy makers.

Adolescent Sexuality

• Advocates for Youth provides information, training, and strategic assistance to organizations, policy makers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.
  
  
• Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (ReCAPP) provides tools and information to effectively reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors. Teachers and health educators can find program materials to help with their work with teens
  

Associations & Organizations

• American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists · AASECT members include physicians, nurses, social workers, and other allied health professionals. Their common interest is in promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.
  
  
• American Foundation for Urologic Disease - the AFUD is dedicated to the prevention and cure of urologic diseases through the expansion of research, education, and patient advocacy.
  
  
• American Social Health Association · ASHA programs include: the ASHA Research Fund, HPV Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center, Cervical Cancer Prevention Project,¡SALSA! (STDs, Adolescents and Latinos: Sexual Health Awareness), Herpes Resource Center, ASH-Net (Adolescent Sexual Health and the Internet), Herpes Foundation, and Viral Hepatitis Education and Training.
  
  
• American Society of Reproductive Medicine · ASRM is an organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in infertility, reproductive medicine and biology.
  
  
• Association of Reproductive Health Professionals · AHRP is a multidisciplinary association of professionals who provide reproductive health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence reproductive health policy. ARHP fosters research and advocacy to improve reproductive health.
  
  
• The Center for Sexuality and Religion - The mission of the CSR is to advance a positive relationship between sexuality, spirituality and justice. Its primary goal is to establish the positive relationship between human sexuality, spiritual health and justice by providing clergy and laity with information and skills that foster sexual and spiritual health and justice
  
  
• Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality · FSSS' mission is to promote funding for conducting scholarly, scientific research related activities to further the understanding of all aspects of sexuality.
  
  
• The Alan Guttmacher Institute is focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education. The Institute's mission is to protect the reproductive choices of all women and men in the United States and throughout the world.
  
  
• The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health is an academic and scientific organization that provides opportunities for communication among scholars, researchers and practitioners about women's sexual function and experiences, and supports high standards of ethics and professionalism in research, education and clinical practice of women's sexuality.
  
  
• Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation: Reproductive and Sexual Health includes: National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Experiences; Sex Education in the US: Policy and Politics; and Survey of Teens About Gender Roles.
  
  
• Kinsey Institute · The Institute's mission is to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender, and reproduction.
  
  
• National Council on Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity · The NCSAC is dedicated to the promotion of public and professional recognition, awareness, and understanding of sexual addiction, sexual compulsivity and sexual offending. NCSAC provides access to education, information and referral resources.
  
  
• National Sexuality Resource Center helps to disseminate information and evidence-based research on sexual health, education and rights.
  
  
• The Planned Parenthood Federation of America's "Sexuality Education" page provides educational programs that enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality, and contains articles, programs, books, web sites, and conference information for the educator.
  
  
• Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US · SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, and promotes comprehensive education about sexuality. The site Includes sections for policy makers and advocates, for religious institutions, and for parents and older adults.
  
  
• Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality · SSSS promotes the production of quality research and the application of sexual knowledge in educational, clinical, and other settings. Publisher of the newsletter Sexual Science, available on the SSSS web site.
  
  
• The Society for Sex Therapy and Research is composed of a range of professionals who have clinical or research interests in human sexuality. SSTAR aims to facilitate communications among clinicians who treat problems of sexual identity, sexual function, and reproductive life.
  

Gender Identity

• Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association · The Association is devoted to the understanding and treatment of gender identity disorders, and provides opportunities for scientific interchange among professionals through its biennial conferences and publications. It develops and publishes Standards of Care for the treatment of gender identity disorders.
  
  
• International Foundation for Gender Education · IFGE is an advocate and educational organization for promoting the self-definition and free expression of individual gender identity. The site includes links to referrals to surgeons doing transsexual surgery, the Bangkok Gender Reassignment Surgery Center, and Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders.
  
  
• Intersex Society of North America · The ISNA's "Medical Treatment of Intersexuality" page includes recommendations for treatment of intersexed children. The site also contains definitions and guidelines for treating persons with ambiguous genitalia.
  
  
• Transsexual Women's Resources for Medical Professionals page contains information on hormone regimens, and resources for the medical care of the transgendered.
  

Journals

The following are in the Health Sciences & Human Services Library's Electronic Journals collection. These journals are available to faculty, staff and students of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. A Library Barcode is required to access the journals from off campus.

• Archives of Sexual Behavior
• Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
• Contemporary Sexuality
• Culture, Health & Sexuality
• Gender & History
• Gender and Development
• Gender and Society
• Gender Issues
• Gender, Work, and Organization
• Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy
• Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services
• Journal of Homosexuality
• Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy
• Journal of Sex Education & Therapy
• Journal of Sex Research
• Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine
• Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Psychology, Evolution & Gender
• Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity
• Sexual Science
• Sexuality & Culture
• Sexuality and Disability
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Studies in Gender and Sexuality
• Theology & Sexuality
  
  Other electronic journals:

• Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality
  
• International Journal of Transgenderism
  

Sexual Abuse

• Advocate Web is a nonprofit organization providing information and resources to promote awareness and understanding of the issues involved in the exploitation of persons by trusted helping professionals.
  
  
• Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers · ATSA was founded to foster research, further professional education and provide for the advancement of professional standards and practices in the field of sex offender evaluation and treatment. ATSA is focused specifically on the prevention of sexual abuse through effective management of sex offenders.
  
  
• Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence · The Center is an interreligious educational resource addressing issues of sexual and domestic violence, with an emphasis on education and prevention. The goal is to engage religious leaders in the task of ending abuse, and to prepare human services professionals to recognize and attend to the religious questions and issues that may arise in their work with women and children in crisis.
  
  
• Child Welfare Information Gateway - Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment Issues · This manual is intended to address the needs of professionals who encounter child sexual abuse in the course of their work. It describes professional practices in sexual abuse and addresses the problems of sexually abused children and their families.
  

Sexual Orientation

• American Academy of Family Physicians' Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Information · This page contains links to sexual orientation sites for physicians and their patients.
  
  
• Association for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues in Counseling · The mission of the Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling is to educate mental health service providers about issues confronting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals.
  
  
• Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists · The AGLP provides networking and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered psychiatrists, and education and advocacy on GLBT mental health issues.
  
  
• Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women Study · The CHLEW study is designed to collect data on the health and life experiences of the diverse group of women who identify as lesbians, and is one of the first studies of lesbian health to be funded by the federal government. In the first phase of the study more than 450 women, ranging in age from 18 to 84, were interviewed.
  
  
• GASP: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance in Social and Personality Psychology · GASP's goals are to provide social support and professional information to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students and faculty in social and personality psychology, and their heterosexual allies.
  
  
• Gay and Lesbian Medical Association · GLMA members include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered physicians, medical students, and other health care professionals, as well as patients throughout North America.
  
  
• The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Access Project · Project documents include: Community Standards of Practice For Provision of Quality Health Care Services For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual And Transgendered Clients; and an Agency Quick Checklist that can be used to assess whether an organization's existing policies and procedures meet the Community Standards of Practice for provision of quality health care services to GLBT clients.
  
  
• National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals · The Association is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse, and other addictions in GLBT communities. Information covers the areas of prevention, public policy, advocacy, criminal penalties, treatment issues and programs, and the causes, data, and impact of substance abuse.
  
  
• National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health promotes public awareness of unique health concerns to the GLBT community, and educates healthcare professionals in the area of cultural competency with regard to GLBT health issues.
  
  
• National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2000 Census and Same-Sex Households · The Census 2000 reporting statistics released by the US Census Bureau have continued to show an increase in the number of reported same-sex partner households across the United States. The site includes links to efforts by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to encourage same-sex couples within the GLBT communities to be counted in the US Census.
  
  
• Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues, Division 44, American Psychological Association · Division 44's goals include: advancing the contribution of psychological research in understanding lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues; promoting the education of psychologists in matters of lesbian, gay, and bisexual concerns; and informing psychologists and the general public of relevant research, educational, and service activities. The site includes a newsletter, Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, and a list of member's publications.
  

Sexual and Reproductive Health

• CDC's Reproductive Health Information Source · Resources cover: assisted reproductive technology reports; unintended pregnancy; women's reproductive health; men's reproductive health; surveillance and research; racial and ethnic minorities; scientific and technical assistance.
  
  
• Consortium for Improvement in Erectile Function · CIEF is a membership organization comprised of multidisciplinary healthcare practitioners who share an interest in developing and participating in a variety of educational and interactive programs designed to enhance the clinical outcomes of erectile dysfunction therapy. The site contains reviews of the current literature and a library of slides and monthly clinical consults.
  
  
• The North American Menopause Society is devoted to promoting women's health during mid-life and beyond through an understanding of menopause. This site contains information on perimenopause, early menopause, long-term health effects of estrogen loss, and therapies to enhance health.
  
  
• Reproline®: Reproductive Health Online is tailored to the daily needs of reproductive healthcare providers, trainers and faculty by providing tools, information and communication forums.
  
  
• Topics in Reproductive Health These minicourses are designed to help healthcare providers, supervisors of healthcare facilities, and students provide reproductive services. Courses cover sexuality and sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS.
  
  
• The National Vulvodynia Association (NVA) is a nonprofit organization created in 1994 to improve the lives of individuals affected by vulvodynia, a spectrum of chronic vulvar pain disorders.
  
  
• The Sexual Health Network is dedicated to providing easy access to sexuality information, education, mutual support, counseling, therapy, healthcare, products and other resources for people with disabilities, illness, or natural changes throughout the lifecycle and those who love them or care for them.
  
  
• The Woman's Sexual Health Foundation (TWSHF) supports a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of sexual health issues and serves as an educational resource for both the lay public and healthcare professionals.

Sexuality and Disability

• Cancer.Gov - Sexuality and Reproductive Issues · Information for the health professional regarding cancer patients includes: the prevalence and types of sexual dysfunction; factors affecting sexual function; assessment of sexual function; the psychosocial and medical aspects of sexuality; the pharmacological effects medications on sexual function; and treatment of sexual problems in people with cancer.
  
  
• Sexual Health and Fertility after Brain and Spinal Cord Impairment · is a resource created by physicians and nurses especially trained in the area of sexuality and bladder care following traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. Information covers sexual health, physiology, male and female changes, bladder changes, and fertility issues.
  

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• AIDSinfo for Health Care Providers · has links to regional training centers; cultural and gender resources; management of HIV complications; maternal-child transmission; information for exposure to HIV and how to prevent it; and treatment consultation.
  
  
• AmfAR Research Programs - American Foundation for AIDS Research · AmfAR's mission is to prevent HIV infection and the disease and death associated with it and to protect the human rights of all people threatened by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS. amfAR has active programs in basic and clinical research, public and professional education, public policy, prevention science, and global initiatives.
  
  
• Center for AIDS Prevention Studies · CAPS conducts interdisciplinary research on methods to prevent HIV infection and its consequences. The site includes a list of current research projects, links to model prevention programs, intervention curricula, and survey instruments.
  
  
• HIV/AIDS Bureau - Health Resources and Services Administration · oversees the CARE Act, which funds primary care and support services for individuals living with HIV who lack health insurance and financial resources for their care. While ambulatory health care and support services are the primary focus of the legislation, training, technical assistance, and demonstration projects are also funded. The site includes Early Intervention Services Grant Guidance; a Clinical Guide on Supportive and Palliative Care for People with HIV/AIDS; and a link to the CARE Act Technical Information & Education Library.
  
  
• HIV/AIDS information, National Library of Medicine Specialized Information Services is a comprehensive AIDS information service for scientists, physicians, educators, and other health professionals. The site provides access to the latest information on AIDS research, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention.
  
  
• HIV/AIDS - National Prevention Information Network · Includes: recent publications about HIV/AIDS prevention; the current state of the epidemic in the US; statistics; CDC guidelines and recommendations for the detection, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS; program evaluation materials; resources for locating counseling, testing, and referral services; and CDC guidelines for surveillance activities.
  
  
• HIV InSite - Medical Issues includes information on epidemiology, diagnosis, management, transmission and prevention, treatment resources, antiretroviral management, interactions database treatment guidelines, treatment access & advocacy, patient fact sheets, conference abstracts and summaries, and links to medical newsletters for clinicians.
  
  
• National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers · are a CDC-funded group of regional centers created in partnership with health departments and universities, dedicated to increasing the knowledge and skills of health professionals in the areas of sexual and reproductive health. The National Network provides health professionals with a variety of educational opportunities, including experiential learning with an emphasis on prevention. Links go to information on: STD clinical training, behavioral and social interventions training, partner services and program support training.
  
  
• Resources for Physicians and Investigators - Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome · "Research Resources and Programs" cover AIDS-related data sets; a database for anti-HIV compounds; an HIV / 01 therapeutics database; an HIV sequence database; an HIV molecular immunology database; the NIAID/NCI inter-institute program for development of AIDS-related therapeutics; the NIH AIDS research and reference reagent program; a resource guide for the development of AIDS therapies; and links to reagent programs and repositories. Click on "Resources for Patients, Physicians, and Investigators"
  
  
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases - National Prevention Information Network includes the current state of STD infection in the US, with an overview of key issues, risk groups, and statistics; information about the CDC's prevention goals; the role prevention plays in averting STD infections; and current CDC guidelines and recommendations for the detection, treatment, and care of STDs.
  
  
• STD Prevention - Centers for Disease Control provides national leadership through research, policy development, and support of services to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and their complications. The site contains information on funding, program guidelines, research, surveillance, statistics and treatment guidelines.
  
  

UMB Links

• The Center for Studies in Reproduction spans several different academic departments of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Investigators within the Center approach reproductive biology from a multidisciplinary perspective with an emphasis on developmental endocrinology, ovarian physiology, perinatal endocrinology, uteroplacental physiology, cardiovascular physiology, reproductive behavior, neuroendocrinology, cancer research, and mechanisms of hormone action.
  
  
• Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine offers continuing comprehensive primary and subspecialty care to young people from adolescence through early adulthood (12-24 years). Division faculty members have expertise in medicine, nursing, psychology, nutrition, statistics, health education, social work and outreach.
  
  
• Institute of Human Virology was established to create and develop a center of excellence focusing on chronic viral diseases and virally linked cancers, using multidisciplinary research and clinical programs, so that new treatments are streamlined from discovery to patient.
  
  
• Women's Health Research Group is based in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This group examines women's health concerns from the perspectives of medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, and social work. Members of the group conduct research on menopause, breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy, uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, ovarian functioning, genetics, and mental health.