What are future doctors learning about sex? An assessment of sexual health curricula across medical schools in the Northeastern United States.

This study evaluates the comprehensiveness and standardization of sexual health curricula in medical schools across the Northeastern United States by systematically analyzing written curricular materials from ten institutions. Using a rubric based on recommendations from the World Association for Sexual Health and the International Society for Sexual Medicine, the study found significant variability in coverage, with consistent inclusion of topics like embryology, sexually transmitted infections, and male sexual anatomy, but notable gaps in female-specific content such as vulvar conditions, postpartum sexuality, and female sexual dysfunction. Additionally, the curricula showed limited representation of sexual health issues in high-risk and underrepresented populations, including aging, disabled individuals, and certain aspects of sexual violence. The findings highlight sex-specific disparities and a lack of comprehensive, standardized sexual health education, underscoring the need for improved curricular development to better prepare future physicians in addressing diverse sexual health concerns.