ATTENTION: Assignment editors, health, research and science reportersFor immediate release

Newswise — Ottawa, ON (February 5, 2013) – Being comfortable in our sexuality and making choices that support our sexual health are essential to our overall well-being. Promoting sexual health includes both preventing disease and helping people find pleasure in their sexual lives. Whether you want to get a little closer to someone, try to avoid sexually transmitted infections, plan a pregnancy or deal with a cervical cancer, access to appropriate sexual health information is key. In Canada, data shows that too many women and men still put their life and health at risk by not practising safe sex, which has resulted in increasing rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and infectious syphilis among middle-aged adults (40-59 years) over the past decade.

To raise awareness of sexual health, CIHR-funded researchers are available to discuss this important part of our lives and its impact on people’s physical and mental health.

Experts:

Women are this, men are that – Discussing misconceptions about gender normsDr. Joy Johnson, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health (Vancouver, British Columbia)Dr. Dominic Beaulieu-Prévost, CIHR-funded researcher (Montréal, Québec)

Sex, risky behaviour, and infection – Contraceptive methods to reduce sexually transmitted diseasesDr. Michel Alary, CIHR-funded researcher (Québec, Québec)Dr. Robert Brunham, CIHR-funded researcher (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Feeling sexy after prostate or breast removal? – Rebuilding confidence post-cancer Dr. John Oliffe, CIHR-funded researcher (Vancouver, British Columbia)Dr. Anne Katz, Sexual Counselor, (Winnipeg, Manitoba)Dr. Fred Saad, CIHR-funded researcher (Montréal, Québec)

Erectile problems may signal heart disease, present or yet to come?Dr. Rany Shamloul, CIHR-funded researcher (Ottawa, Ontario)

Not tonight, honey. What to do when sex rhymes with chronic pain Dr. Yitzchak Irving M. Binik, CIHR-funded researcher (Montréal, Québec)

Pregnancy rates are higher among gay, lesbian and bisexual teens: A closer look at sexual health for sexual minority youthDr. Elizabeth Saewyc, CIHR-funded researcher (Vancouver, British Columbia)Dr. Line Chamberland, CIHR-funded researcher (Montréal, Québec)

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The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

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