ĐẶT LỊCH KHÁM

Hanoi, September 21, 2025 – The Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi (AF HANOI) successfully organized the 6th Scientific Conference with the theme “Updates in Female Sexual Health Care.” The event brought together leading experts, physicians, and healthcare professionals to exchange and share diverse perspectives on the current status of diagnosis and treatment of female sexual health issues.

This year, the Scientific Conference attracted nearly 200 delegates, including experts and doctors, to attend in person

During the conference, speakers presented research findings and key updates on classification, diagnosis, and effective as well as comprehensive treatment approaches for patients. The conference not only served as a forum for connection, knowledge sharing, and academic exchange, but also highlighted the growing concern among healthcare professionals and the community for female sexual health. Ultimately, it contributed to improving the quality of female sexual health care in Vietnam in the context of modern medicine.

The ceremony was honored by the attendance of distinguished guests:

• Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tao, President of the Hanoi Society for Reproductive Support; Former Deputy Director, Center for Training and Embryo Technology Research – Vietnam Military Medical Academy.

• Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Phuong Mai, Former Deputy Director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health.

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang, President of the Vietnam Society for Sexual Medicine; Director, Center for Andrology, Viet Duc University Hospital.

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Minh Tam, Vice President of the Vietnam Society for Sexual Medicine; Director, Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility – University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hue University.

• Dr. Ngo Thi Yen, Executive Committee Member, Vietnam Society for Sexual Medicine; Former Head of Sexual Counseling Unit, Tu Du Hospital.

The event also welcomed nearly 200 delegates, including leading experts and physicians from major hospitals and medical centers across the country.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang with the presentation “Overview and Current Status of Female Sexual Disorders: From Silence to Action.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Minh Tam presented on the topic “Female Sexual Health and the Orientation to Optimize Reproductive Healthcare.”

Dr. Ngo Thi Yen shared the presentation “Common Signs of Female Sexual Disorders and When to Seek Counseling or Referral.”

On behalf of AF HANOI, participants included:

• MSc. Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Medical Director of the Hospital.

• Dr. Nguyen Anh Tu, Director of the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi.

• MSc. Dr. Pham Minh Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi.

• MSc. Clinical Psychologist Nguyen Quoc Linh, Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tao chaired the Scientific Conference.

Within the framework of the Scientific Conference on “Updates in Female Sexual Health Care,” AF HANOI contributed two scientific reports:

1. “Common Clinical Types of Female Sexual Dysfunction: Practical Insights from the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi” by MSc. Dr. Pham Minh Ngoc.

2. “Female Sexual Dysfunction from the Psychological Perspective” by MSc. Clinical Psychologist Nguyen Quoc Linh.

Both studies were developed based on comprehensive clinical data and in-depth research, reflecting practical experiences in treatment and providing strong clinical applicability.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Quoc Linh presented the report “Female Sexual Disorders from a Psychological Perspective.”

MSc. Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien, Medical Director of AF HANOI, emphasized:

“At AF HANOI, we regard scientific research as one of our core missions – a foundation to continuously improve healthcare quality. In the context of rapidly developing reproductive medicine and sexual medicine, ongoing research, knowledge updates, and the application of scientific advances into practice enable our physicians to provide personalized solutions and optimize treatment outcomes for every patient. We believe that each research project not only contributes academic value to the field but also carries humanitarian meaning, as behind every study lies the happiness of families and the quality of life of our patients.”

The issue of female sexual health in Vietnam still faces many challenges and gaps in diagnosis and treatment. Studies show that 30–40% of women experience sexual dysfunctions such as reduced desire, difficulty achieving orgasm, or pain during intercourse. However, very few cases are examined and treated in a timely manner due to reasons including psychological barriers and limited awareness of sexual health. Many women endure these conditions in silence without medical support, which decreases quality of life and affects both family happiness and mental well-being.

For this reason, scientific research plays a pivotal role in enhancing female sexual health care. In-depth studies help physicians better understand disease mechanisms, causes, and risk factors, while providing a basis for developing multidisciplinary, individualized treatment protocols. In practice, the application of research outcomes at AF HANOI has helped shorten diagnostic time, improve treatment effectiveness, and ultimately enhance women’s quality of life, family harmony, and self-confidence.

Dr. Le Thi Thu Hien (Medical Director of the Hospital) delivered a speech at the Scientific Conference.

Sharing about the significance of organizing the Scientific Conference on “Updates in Female Sexual Health Care,” Dr. Nguyen Anh Tu, Director of the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi, stated:

“During our clinical practice, we have observed that many couples not only struggle with fertility but also face challenges in their sexual life. Unlike reproductive health, which is often discussed, female sexual health remains a sensitive and less recognized issue, particularly in the cultural context of Asian societies such as Vietnam. Many women encounter problems in marital intimacy but do not know where to seek help, or silently endure psychological pressure without being able to share with anyone. Therefore, we hope this conference will serve as a forum for specialists from across the country to exchange and update the latest knowledge and treatment approaches in female sexual health. As a specialized center, the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi is committed to contributing practical insights from our clinical work, ensuring that the conference remains highly applicable. Furthermore, it offers an opportunity to connect experts nationwide, fostering collaboration to develop more comprehensive, modern, and reliable approaches, so that patients can access appropriate, specialized, and personalized care.”

According to Dr. Tu, one of the biggest challenges in female sexual health care in Vietnam is patients’ limited awareness and difficulty in finding proper treatment facilities. Many women hesitate to ask questions or open up about intimate concerns, which delays diagnosis and treatment.

Moreover, sexual medicine remains a relatively new field not only in Vietnam but globally. In current medical curricula, this subject is still underrepresented. However, international trends show growing attention, with the establishment of major professional organizations such as the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), and the Vietnam Society for Sexual Medicine (VSSM)—all serving as respected platforms for physicians and researchers worldwide to share and advance specialized knowledge.

MSc. Dr. Pham Minh Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi, noted that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is relatively common, with four primary categories: hypoactive sexual desire disorder, arousal disorder, sexual pain disorder, and orgasmic disorder. Among these, reduced desire is the most prevalent, across all age groups—highest among surgically menopausal women (26%) and lowest in natural menopause (9%).

At the Center, patients with decreased desire are typically classified into two groups:

• Primary: occurring from the beginning of sexual activity.

• Secondary: previously normal desire, but diminished due to later causes.

Secondary desire disorder is more common, with diverse contributing factors such as vaginal dryness, vaginismus, sexual dysfunction of the partner, lack of emotional intimacy, side effects of contraceptives, chronic gynecological infections, or sequelae after surgery/procedures (e.g., endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic tumors). Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are also highly affected.

MSc. Dr. Pham Minh Ngoc brought a practical perspective from the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi with the presentation “Common Clinical Forms of Female Sexual Disorders.”

Dr. Ngoc shared:

“At the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi, besides decreased desire, we also receive and manage many cases of reduced arousal, anorgasmia, vaginismus, and perimenopausal or menopausal disorders. Notably, most patients only seek medical help after prolonged suffering that has severely impacted their mental health and marital relationships. This highlights the urgent need for early examination and specialized care in female sexual health. For instance, we once treated a case of vaginismus lasting 13 years. The patient had sought care at multiple facilities, but previous treatments only focused on gynecological conditions without addressing sexual dysfunction. After receiving sex therapy at AF HANOI, the patient’s condition was successfully treated, and she is now able to conceive naturally.”

From a psychological perspective, another important topic presented was “Female Sexual Dysfunction through the Lens of Psychology” by MSc. Clinical Psychologist Nguyen Quoc Linh. He emphasized that psychological factors play a crucial role in all phases of female sexual activity. Disorders such as vaginismus not only cause physical challenges but also leave profound psychological impacts, including anxiety, fear, and avoidance of intimacy.

Cultural and social barriers also play a significant role. Many women hesitate to express sexual needs due to societal stereotypes that discourage female sexual initiative. This hinders emotional openness, reduces satisfaction, and lowers relationship quality. In severe cases, some women develop phobias toward male genitalia, severely affecting sexual life and marital happiness.

MSc. Nguyen Quoc Linh stressed:

“Alongside biological and physical factors, psychological aspects of sexuality require equal attention. It is essential to identify the psychological ‘knots’ that cause women to avoid sexual intimacy, in order to provide suitable support. Achieving harmony and fulfillment in sexual life requires mutual understanding—not only in intimacy, but also in the emotional and daily aspects of life. Only through genuine empathy can couples achieve complete concord and happiness.”

The Conference gathered experts from the North, Central, and South regions to share knowledge and practical experience.

In addition to the two studies contributed by AF HANOI, the conference also featured presentations from leading experts across Vietnam:

• “Overview and Current Status of Female Sexual Dysfunction: From Silence to Action” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang.

• “Female Sexual Health: Optimizing Reproductive Health Care” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Minh Tam.

• “Common Signs of Female Sexual Dysfunction – When to Refer for Consultation and Specialist Care?” by Dr. Ngo Thi Yen.

These scientific reports shed light on the challenges in diagnosing and treating female sexual health disorders, while offering comprehensive perspectives on clinical practice. The conference reaffirmed the specialized role of the Center for Sexual Medicine of Hanoi in managing female sexual dysfunction, and demonstrated AF HANOI’s commitment to raising awareness and improving the quality of female sexual health care in Vietnam.

Some highlights from the Scientific Conference: