Research Papers and Presentations

• Mendlowitz, A. R., Hoang, L. N., McAlpine, J. N., & Sadownik, L. A. (2022). Differentiated Exophytic Vulvar Intraepithelial Lesions: Case Reports and Review of Literature. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 26(3), 283-286.  doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000678. PMID: 35467577.
  ‍
• Jamieson, A., Tse, S. S., Brar, H., Sadownik, L. A., & Proctor, L. (2022). A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Development, Recurrence, and Progression of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 26(2), 140-146. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000662. PMID: 35249976.
  ‍
• Dayan, R., Sadownik, L., & Reutter, J. (2021). Vulvar Crohn disease. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 193(11), E379. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.190112. PMID: 33722830; PMCID: PMC8096402.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B. Koert, E., Maher, C., Eshtiaghi, P., & Sadownik, L. A. (2020). The Impact of Chronic Vulvar Dermatoses on Women’s Quality of Life: A Qualitative and Exploratory Study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 17(9), 1740-1750. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.06.016.
  ‍
• Bao, C., Noga, H., Allaire, C., Williams, C., Bedaiwy, M. A., Sadownik, L. A., Brotto, L. A., Smith, K. B., & Yong, P. J. (2019). Provoked Vestibulodynia in Women with Pelvic Pain. Sexual Medicine, 7(2), 227-234. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.03.002
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Seal, B. N., Sadownik, L. A., & Brotto, L. A. (2019). The Impact of Multidisciplinary Treatment on Psychological Functioning and Sexual Penetration among Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia. Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Healthcare, 2(1), 1-9.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. A., Dargie, E., Albert, A. Y. K., & Brotto, L. A. (2019). Multidisciplinary Treatment for Provoked Vestibulodynia. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 35(4), 335-344. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000682.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Basson, R., Sadownik, L. A., Isaacson, J., Brotto, L. A. (2018). Antenatal vulvar pain management, labour management, and postpartum care of women with vulvodynia: A survey of physicians and midwives. Journal of Obstetrics  and Gynaecology of Canada. 40(5), 579-587. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2017.09.014.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Yong, P. J., Smith, K. B. (2018). Systematic review of treatment outcome measures for vulvodynia. Journal of lower genital tract disease, 22(3), 251-259. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000406.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Smith, K. B., Hui, A., & Brotto, L. A. (2016). The impact of a woman’s dyspareunia and its treatment on her intimate partner: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 43(6), 529-542. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2016.1208697.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. A., Basson, R., Isaacson, J., Brotto, L. A. (2016). Clinicians’ Perspectives and Experiences Regarding Maternity Care in Women With Vulvodynia. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 38(9), 811-819. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2016.04.008.
  ‍
• Lester, R. A., Brotto, L. A., Sadownik, L. A. (2015). Provoked vestibulodynia and the health care implications of comorbid pain conditions. Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Canada, 37(11), 995-1005. doi: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)30049-4.
  ‍
• Yong, P., Sadownik, L. A. & Brotto, L. A. (2015). Concurrent deep-superficial dyspareunia: prevalence, associations, and outcomes in a multidisciplinary vulvodynia program. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 1, 219-227. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12729.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A., Yong, P., Smith, K. B. & Sadownik, L. A. (2015). Impact of a multidisciplinary vulvodynia program on sexual functioning and dyspareunia. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 12(1), 238-247. doi: 10.1111/jsm.12718.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A. (2014). Etiology, diagnosis, and clinical management of vulvodynia. International Journal of Women’s Health, 6, 437–449. http://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S37660
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A., Sadownik, L., Thomson, S., Dayan, M., Smith, K. B., Seal, B. N., Moses, M., & Zhang, A. (2014). A comparison of demographic and psychosexual characteristics of women with primary versus secondary provoked vestibulodynia. Clinical Journal of Pain, 30(5), 428-435. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31829ea118.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Seal, B. N., & Brotto, L. A. (2012). Provoked Vestibulodynia—Women’s experience of participating in a Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 9, 1086–1093. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02641.x.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Seal, B. N., & Brotto, L. A. (2012). Provoked Vestibulodynia: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences. BC Medical Journal, 54, 22-28.

• Altas, M (2024, November) Menopause and hormone therapy: Where are we now. BC Northern Doctors Day Conference
• Altas, M. (2024, June) Diagnosing and Managing Vulvodynia in the Community. UBC Rural Rounds Series.

• Kale, M (2024, April) VIN Mimickers. BC Cancer Annual Colpsocopy Education Day.

• Altas, M. (2024, April) Precancerous lesions of the Vulva. Family Practice Oncology Network Education Day

• Altas, M (2023, December) Managing premature menopause after cancer treatment. BC Cancer Radiation Oncology Rounds

• Altas, M. (2023, November) Sexual health after cervical cancer. UBC Dept of OB/GYN DA Boyes Annual Meeting

• Altas, M (2023, November) Sexual Health after Breast Cancer. Family Practice Oncology Network.

• Altas, M (2023 April) Tips for managing vulvodynia in a community office. UBC Vulvovaginal Health Update.

• Dehaeck, U (2023, April) Managing refractory lichen sclerosus. UBC Vulvovaginal Health Update.

• Altas, M. (2022, May 27). Menopause & Sexuality. VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation / Leslie Diamond Women's Health Luncheon.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2022, May 11). Top five secondary causes of itch in patients diagnosed with vulvar Lichen Sclerosus. Lichen Sclerosus Support Network, Holistic Healing Summit.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2019, April 19). Provoked Vulvodynia. Pain BC / BC Echo.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2022, March 31). Improving Access to Care in the Community for Individuals with Vulvodynia. Fred Bryans UBC OB/GYN research conference.
  ‍
• Yong, P. (2021, June 23). When sex hurts and it’s unexpected (the reproductive years). Panel Discussion: Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2022, June 22). Recognizing and Treating Erosive Vaginitis. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2021, May 18). Considerations in Colposcopy for Immunocompromised Patients [Webinar]. Society of Canadian Colposcopies.
  ‍
• BC Centre for Vulvar Health (2022, March 11-12). Annual Vulvovaginal Health Update, Virtual Conference.
  ‍
• Yong, P. (2021, March 5-7). Sexual Pain and Dyspareunia [Symposium]. ISSWSH – Co-Chair.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2021, February 27). Vulvar Health. Division of Continuing Professional Development and VGH Department of Family Practice’s Annual Post Graduate Review Conference.
  ‍
• Mendlowitz, A. (2021, January 30). The 3 Lichens [Virtual conference session]. Victoria Gynecology Update.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2021, January 22). Diagnosing and Managing Vulvar Pain [Webinar]. Pain BC.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2020, October 18). Recognizing and treating erosive vaginitis [Virtual conference]. 46th Annual D.A. Boyes Society Meeting & Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinical Review.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2020, October 18). Benign Vulvar Disease.  International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2020, October 2). The vulva after menopause; atrophy or vaginitis. University of British Columbia, CME on the Run.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2020, October 2). Sexual Health in Breast Cancer Survivors [Conference session]. Clinical Pearls: Breast and Prostate Cancer Survivorship Conference.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2020, September 18). Sexual Health for Breast Cancer Survivors [Conference session]. University of British Columbia Department of Urology Conference.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2020, February 27). Vulvar Health [Conference session]. UBC Family Practice’s Annual Post Graduate Review Conference.
  ‍
• Sadownik, LA. (2019, September). Assessment and Treatment of Vulvovaginal Atrophy. International Society for the Study of Vulvar Diseases, World Scientific Congress, Turin, Italy.
  ‍
• Sadownik, LA. (2019, September). Evidence-based 2nd Line Treatment Options for Lichen Sclerosus and Lichen Planus. International Society for the Study of Vulvar Diseases, World Scientific Congress, Turin, Italy.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2019, April). The Vulvar Exam, Normal or Not [Conference session]. BC College of Family Physicians & Society of General Practitioners Family Medicine Conference.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2019, April). Gynecological considerations in SJS/TENS, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis 2019: From Science to Translation.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2019, February). Vulvar Dermatoses: What to Manage, What not to Miss. UBC Annual Postgraduate Review in Family Medicine.
  ‍
• Sadownik, LA. (2018, December 7). Medical Management of Vulvodynia & How to Set Up a Vulvar Pain Clinic. 6th Biennial Scientific Session of the North American Capter of the ISSVD, Montreal, QC, Canada.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2018, November). Vulvar Treatment Pitfalls [Conference session]. St. Paul’s Continuing Medical Education Conference.
  ‍
• Sadownik, LA. (2018, November). Management of Vulvodynia. 45th D.A. Boye’s Society Meeting, Morris JWosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Altas, M. (2018, June). Practical Approach to Vulvar Pruritus [Conference session]. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Annual Conference.
  ‍
• Altas, M. & Dehaeck, U. (2018, May). Vulvology 101. UBC CPD Vulvovaginal Health Update, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Sadownik, LA. (2018, May). What is normal? Which Lichen is it? Interesting Vulvar cases. UBC CPD Vulvovaginal Health Update, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. Sadownik, LA. (2017, November). Vulvar Ulcers. DA Boyes.
  ‍
• Dehaeck, U. (2017, April). Vulvar Health. UBC CPD Sexual Health.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A. (2015, 8 October). Update on vulvodynia. XXI World Congress Federation of International Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO), Vancouver, BC, Vancouver.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A. (2014, February 27). Is it all in my head? Multidisciplinary Treatment of Provoked Vestibulodynia. Department of Ob/Gyn, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A. & Sadownik, L. A. (2013, June 14). Vulvodynia: Development of a Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program. Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada annual clinical meeting, Calgary, AB, Canada.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A. (2011, September). Vulvar dermatoses: Lessons learnt from the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program. Invited presenter: Meeting of the Seattle Gynecologic Society, Seattle, WA, Unites States.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A. (2011, June). Mindfulness in the treatment of women’s sexual difficulties. Invited plenary address, World Association of Sexology, Glasgow, Scotland.

‍

• Altas, M., Sadownik, L., Yong, P., Smith, K., Marsh, A. (2021, July). Is the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program Achieving the Program’s Goals? XXVI World Congress and International Vulvovaginal Disease Update, Dublin, Ireland.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. S., Basson, R., & Brotto, L. A. (2015, November). Pregnancy and childbirth among women with chronic genital. Pregnancy and the Mind Research Symposium, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Yong, P., Sadownik, L., & Brotto, A. (2014, June). Concurrent deep-superficial dyspareunia: prevalence, associations, and outcomes. Annual meeting of the Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Winner, Best Oral Presentation (Gynecology).
  ‍
• Sadownik, L., Van Tongeren, C., Smith, K., Basson, R., & Brotto, L. A. (2013, October). Partner’s perspective of the impact of provoked vestibulodynia. Congress of the International Society for the Study of Vulvar Diseases, Royal Caribbean Cruise, Mediterranean.
  ‍
• Van Tongren, C., Sadownik, L. Smith, K., Basson, R., & Brotto, L. (2013, March). Provoked Vestibulodynia and impact on the relationship: A partner’s perspective. UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Annual Academic Day, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A. (2012, May). A multidisciplinary vulvodynia program for treating women with Provoked Vestibulodynia. Canadian Pain Society, Whistler, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Moses, M. H., Brotto, L. A., Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. A., & Thompson, S. (2012, February). Seeking treatment for provoked vestibulodynia: A descriptive analysis of previous healthcare experiences. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
  ‍
• Moses, M. H., Brotto, L. A., Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. A., & Thompson, S. (2011, September). Patient characteristics and previous health care experiences among women seeking treatment for provoked vestibulodynia. Canadian Sex Research Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Brotto, L. A., Seal, B. N., Dayan, M., & Thomson, S. (2011, September). Impact of a Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program on women with Provoked Vestibulodynia. International Society for the Study of Vulvar Diseases Scientific Congress, Paris, France.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A. (2011, June). Mindfulness-based CBT and women’s sexual dysfunction: applications for low desire, sexual distress, and provoked vestibulodynia. World Association of Sexology, Glasgow, Scotland.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L A., Brotto, L. A., Seal, B., Dayan, M., & Thomson, S. (2011, June). Provoked Vestibulodynia: A retrospective study of women’s experiences before diagnosis. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of the Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Brotto, L. A., & Sadownik, L. A. (2011, May). Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program: Patient characteristics and program efficacy. Grand Rounds presentation to the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., & Brotto, L. A. (2009, September). Provoked Vestibulodynia: An exploration of experiences. Paper presented at the International Conference for the Study of Vulvar Diseases, Edinburgh, Scotland.

‍

• Altas, M., Sadownik, S., Yong, P., & Marsh, A. (2021, July). Lessons Learned by the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program. XXVI World Congress and International Vulvovaginal Disease Update, Dublin, Ireland.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Brotto, L. A., Basson, R., & Sadownik, L. (2014, April). Pregnancy and childbirth fears and reproductive intentions in women with provoked vestibulodynia. Society for Sex Research and Therapy, 39th annual meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Brotto, L. A., Therrien, S., Basson, R., & Sadownik, L. (2014, October). Fear of child birth among women with provoked vestibulodynia. Canadian Sex Research Forum. Kingston, ON, Canada.
  ‍
• Jackowich, R. A., & Brotto, L. A. (2014, October). Associations of dyspareunia, sexual functioning, and sexual well-being in women diagnosed with provoked vestibulodynia and a history of sexual assault. Canadian Sex Research Forum, Kingston, ON, Canada.
  ‍
• Smith, K. B., Brotto, L. A., Sadownik, L., Basson, R., & Goldsmith, K. (2012, March). A review of pregnancy and childbirth outcomes in vulvodynia. Society for Sex Therapy and Research, Chicago, IL, USA .
  ‍
• Sadownik, L. A., Brotto, L. A., Seal, B. N., Dayan, M. & Thomson, S. (2011, June). Impact of a Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program on women with Provoked Vestibulodynia. Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecologists of Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

‍