The Sexology Lab

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Evan Goldstein, a nationally renowned anal surgeon and the founder of Bespoke Surgical. Dr. Goldstein discusses his mission to destigmatize anal health and education, sharing insights from his book, Butt Seriously: The Definitive Guide to Anal Health, Pleasure, and Everything in Between. He explains how his own journey from cardiac surgery to specializing in queer-friendly intimate health was driven by a need for better standards of care and education in the community.The conversation explores the various cultural myths and stigmas that prevent people from experiencing pleasure and maintaining proper anal health. Dr. Goldstein emphasizes the critical role of understanding personal anatomy and gradual progression to avoid trauma and injury. He also shares his vision for the future of intimate wellness, highlighting new technologies like Tempure for non-surgical tissue strengthening.Key TakeawaysEducation as Prevention: Proper education regarding anatomy and function is essential to prevent injury and foster a healthy, lifelong sex life.Step-Wise Progression: Many sexual traumas occur when individuals attempt "something big" too quickly; gradual exploration and pre-lubrication are vital for success.Challenging Cultural Stigma: Dismantling myths about anal play being "dirty" or linked to specific personality traits is necessary to improve sexual outcomes and overall well-being.Show Summary00:00 - Intro and Dr. Evan Goldstein's Mission01:39 - Origin Story: Transitioning from cardiac surgery to intimate health03:41 - Core Mission: The importance of dispelling taboos through education05:28 - SHA Community: Experience as a keynote speaker at the annual conference07:11 - Destigmatizing Health: Affirming care for the gay community10:08 - Cultural Myths: Debunking common misconceptions about "backdoor play"13:10 - Anatomy 101: Why understanding your body changes everything16:21 - Trends in Wellness: The rise of aesthetic and preventative anal care18:41 - Future Generation: Practical steps for families and allies to reduce shame21:02 - The Ugly Truth: The pressures of leading in a niche medical field23:15 - Personal Challenges: Dr. Goldstein’s own wellness journey24:14 - Rebuilding from Scratch: Social media, community practice, and "the give model"25:44 - Final Message: Encouraging exploration and living without limitsResources Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Sexology Lab is powered by Sexual Health Alliance, a global hub for world-class certifications, cutting-edge education, and a thriving community of professionals. Many of the show’s guests also share their expertise at their events. Join them at: https://www.sexualhealthalliance.com/⁠More from this episode’s guest at:Book: Butt Seriously: The Definitive Guide to Anal Health, Pleasure, and Everything in BetweenClinic: Bespoke SurgicalBrand: Future MethodSocial Media: @DrEvanGoldsteinSubscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Sexology Lab. See you next week!

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Maria Uloko, an internationally acclaimed urologist and sexual medicine specialist, discusses the critical gaps in medical education regarding vulvar and sexual health. She shares her journey from a Nigerian immigrant to a leading surgeon and researcher, emphasizing why so many patients are currently suffering from misdiagnosed chronic conditions.Dr. Uloko highlights the urgent need for both clinicians and patients to understand the intricacies of vulvar physiology to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. She advocates for a shift in the medical paradigm toward curiosity and rigorous science to transform outcomes for patients experiencing pelvic pain, menopause, and sexual dysfunction.Key TakeawaysMedical Misdiagnosis: Many conditions labeled as "chronic" are actually misdiagnosed cases resulting from a lack of clinical training in vulvar physiology and the impact of hormones.The Power of Advocacy: Patients must be educated on their own anatomy to become effective self-advocates, especially as the current healthcare system is often not incentivized to provide this specialized education.Hormonal Health: Vulvar health is deeply dependent on both estrogen and testosterone; replacing these hormones can often reverse "chronic" conditions like recurrent UTIs and inflammation.Show Summary00:00 - Empowering patients through anatomical education and self-advocacy.01:31 - Critiquing medical education and the lack of research in vulvar healthcare.05:14 - Dr. Maria Uloko’s origin story: From Nigeria to a fellowship in sexual medicine.09:52 - The rise of grassroots patient advocacy groups like Tight Lipped.11:34 - Insights into vulvar regeneration and the link between vulvar and bladder health.13:58 - Breaking the cycle of generational trauma and body shame.17:13 - Redefining "chronic" conditions as misdiagnoses in sexual health.20:13 - Educating patients to drive change within the healthcare system.21:27 - Addressing medical misogyny and the importance of clinical curiosity.24:30 - Why rigorous research is the foundation of effective advocacy.30:29 - Shifting the diagnostic mindset: Becoming a "Sexual Health Sherlock".32:21 - The impact of testosterone on vulvar health and the side effects of birth control.38:59 - Reframing menopause as a transition rather than a decline.41:13 - Debunking HRT myths and providing true informed consent.Resources Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Sexology Lab is powered by Sexual Health Alliance, a global hub for world-class certifications, cutting-edge education, and a thriving community of professionals. Many of the show’s guests also share their expertise at their events. Join them at: https://www.sexualhealthalliance.com/More from this episode’s guest at: https://www.mariaulokomd.com/https://vulvai.co/Books and Publications:When Sex Hurts: Understanding and Healing Pelvic Pain by Andrew Goldstein, MD, Caroline Pukall, PhD, Irwin Goldstein, MD, Dr. Jill Krapf"Misdiagnosis of Recurrent UTI and the Impact of Testosterone Deficiency" (Forthcoming in the Journal of Sexual Medicine)Sexology Practice Guide: sexology.com/guideSubscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Sexology Lab. See you next week!

This episode features Dr. Chris Donaghue, an internationally recognized expert in human sexuality and the Director of Clinical Education at Sexual Health Alliance. The discussion explores Dr. Donaghue's professional journey from the rigid structures of sex addiction clinics to a transformative, sexual health-focused model. He shares deep insights into the pitfalls of pop culture, which he argues often reinforces problematic norms and misuses therapeutic language.A major focus of the conversation is the concept of "sexual bypassing," a term Dr. Donaghue uses to describe how individuals often use rigid labels and habits to manage sexual anxiety rather than embracing true intimacy and eroticism. He encourages both clinicians and the public to move away from medicalized "correction" models and instead focus on pleasure, authenticity, and confidence in one's unique expression of sexuality.Key TakeawaysChallenge Conventional Labels: Move beyond rigid sexual identities and "hard lines" (like top/bottom or specific performance expectations) that are often just habits used to manage anxiety rather than reflect true desire.Individualization Over Conformity: True sexual health involves stepping outside cultural norms and "pop culture" expectations to find what is authentically pleasurable for you.Focus on Pleasure, Not Performance: Shift the perspective from "fixing" sexual dysfunction to understanding it as "disappointment" driven by unrealistic standards; prioritize how sex feels over how it is performed.Show Summary00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Donaghue01:30 Fun Fact: From Pet Critic to Dog Lover02:26 Origin Story: Reacting Against Traditional Sex Addiction Models06:40 The Problem with Pop Culture and Therapeutic Trends08:42 Navigating Ethics and Mission in the Media Space12:22 Maintaining Scope of Practice and Competence14:14 The Synergy of Academic Research and Clinical Practice18:41 Defining Sexual Bypassing and Anxiety Management23:56 Individuation: Authenticity vs. Cultural Conformity28:06 Dating Apps and the "Ego List" Trap36:54 Advice for Clinicians: Moving Away from Medicalized Fixing40:48 The Importance of In-Person Professional Communities44:06 Final Message for the Next GenerationResources Mentioned in this EpisodeThe Sexology Lab is powered by Sexual Health Alliance, a global hub for world-class certifications, cutting-edge education, and a thriving community of professionals. Many of the show’s guests also share their expertise at their events. Join them at: https://sexualhealthalliance.com/More from this episode’s guest at: https://www.drchrisdonaghue.com/ Subscribe and ReviewIf you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. 🎙 Thanks for tuning in to The Sexology Lab. See you next week!

Welcome to the destination where human potential meets erotic intelligence. The Sexology Lab is where science meets intimacy, and research meets real life. We are replacing shame with research-backed curiosity to examine the truths of being human.Each week, we step into The Lab with the most compelling minds in modern sexology, from pioneering researchers and visionary clinicians to sextech innovators and skilled educators. We go beyond the headlines and into the physiology of pleasure, the psychology of attachment, and the business of sexology.Inside the Lab:Science-Forward Discussions: Explore the research behind attraction and the science of arousal.Expert Insights: Hear from global leaders like Dr. Chris Donaghue, Dr. Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, and Dr. Amy Pearlman.Global Community: Join a network of professionals advancing sexual health and wellness worldwide.The Sexology Lab is powered by the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA), the global hub for world-class certifications, cutting-edge education, and a thriving community of professionals.Subscribe and join us as we ask better questions, rethink old assumptions, and redefine what wellness really means.