Over the past two decades, mindfulness has emerged as a promising treatment for women's sexual dysfunction and vulvovaginal pain, conditions that have historically lacked effective, evidence-based interventions. In this talk, I will synthesize findings from 20+ years of research conducted in the UBC Sexual Health Research Lab alongside key meta-analyses on mindfulness and sexuality, particularly for women. Drawing on randomized controlled trials, and mixed-methods studies with diverse populations of women with sexual health concerns, this talk highlights the consistent and converging evidence that mindfulness-based interventions significantly improve sexual desire, arousal, satisfaction, and overall sexual well-being. Among women with genito-pelvic pain, mindfulness reduces pain intensity, catastrophizing, and avoidance behaviors while enhancing body awareness and emotional regulation. Meta-analytic findings further support these outcomes, demonstrating robust and durable effects across diverse populations. I will also share key reflections based on my clinical experience applying this method and identify 10 features that make mindfulness an excellent fit for addressing women's sexual health concerns. Collectively, this body of evidence from science and practice underscores mindfulness as a feasible, accessible, and effective treatment for sexual dysfunction and vulvovaginal pain.
Dr. Lori Brotto is a renowned figure in the field of women's sexual health. As a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she holds a Canada Research Chair, focusing on developing safe and accessible treatments for prevalent sexual concerns in women. Driven by a commitment to equity, she champions the use of digital health technologies to broaden access to these treatments. Dr. Brotto also serves as the Executive Director for the Women's Health Research Institute, with a mandate of advancing women's health research. Her leadership supports nearly 600 members across BC in their pursuit of knowledge about women's health. Recognized for her expertise, Dr. Brotto frequently appears in the media, radio, and notable documentaries, including Netflix's "The Principles of Pleasure" and the CBC Gem network's "The Big Sex Talk." She has authored two mindfulness-focused books: "Better Sex Through Mindfulness" (2018) and "The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook" (2022), one of which appears in the New York Times top 8 sexual health books (2024). Dr. Brotto believes in the power of personal stories and lived experiences to shape science. In her role as a Registered Psychologist in BC, she works with individuals seeking to enhance their sexual wellbeing.
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