Sexual Health pain knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE)

The Sexual Health And genito-Pelvic pain knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE) is a pan-Canadian initiative dedicated to addressing the barriers to evidence-based information and treatment for sexual difficulties and genito-pelvic pain that affect the lives of countless individuals, especially women and gender-diverse people.

These issues are not only pervasive but are often accompanied by numerous barriers that hinder access to effective care and support. SHAPE’s goal is to mobilize knowledge, promote inclusivity, and create an equitable, culturally sensitive approach to sexual and genito-pelvic pain health. SHAPE has partnered with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) to share knowledge about these conditions on their website.

about

Sexuality is a fundamental component of quality of life for many people, and is associated with physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. Yet sexual difficulties (SD) and genito-pelvic pain (GPP) are common issues that affect many peoples’ experiences and their health, and there are numerous barriers to effective care. Canada’s healthcare system has major inequities that directly affect women and gender-diverse persons with regard to sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain.

Towards the goal of closing these gaps, the SHAPE Hub unites researchers, clinicians, patient partners, trainees and other knowledge users to mobilize knowledge about SD/GPP in women and gender-diverse individuals.

Overall, SHAPE will close the significant gap women and gender-diverse people face when attempting to access information about and treatment for SD/GPP

our mission

SHAPE aims to improve women’s health outcomes by addressing critical gaps in knowledge and care related to sexual dysfunction (SD) and genito-pelvic pain (GPP) through:

Making existing research accessible to the public, patients, and healthcare providers and promoting equitable, evidence-based, gender-sensitive, and culturally-safe care.
Maximizing research impact, ensuring that research findings are integrated into health policies and decision-making processes. This includes:
- Identifying barriers faced by Canadian healthcare providers in managing SD/GPP.
- Providing specialized training on SD/GPP for healthcare providers
Community-driven research, to prioritize research areas and center the voices of diverse and systemically-oppressed individuals with lived experience of SD/GPP.This will be done in partnership with: (1) Indigenous and Two-Spirit peoples, (2) Black women, and (3) those who suffer from post-SSRI sexual dysfunction, and then support and fund students to take up research in these priority areas.
Building the next generation of women’s health researchers through training and grant opportunities. Training in knowledge mobilization will be offered to Canadian trainees doing research in sexual health research.

team

Leadership Team

Tripartite Leadership

Lori Brotto, PhD, RPsych

SHAPE Program Principal Investigator

Director - UBC Sexual Health Laboratory, Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health, Professor - Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, Executive Director - Women’s Health Research Institute

Dr. Brotto completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of British Columbia (UBC), where her research focused primarily on psychophysiological aspects of sexual arousal in women diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions. Her psychology internship at the University of Washington (UW) specialized in the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for mood, anxiety, substance abuse and psychotic disorders. Following her internship, Dr. Brotto’s Fellowship in Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at UW was mentored by Dr. Julia Heiman, director of the Kinsey Institute.

As a registered psychologist, Dr. Brotto offers psychological therapy to patients referred from both UBC Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Psychiatry, as well as the BC Cancer Agency. Dr. Brotto also sees private patients.

Dr. Brotto has been awarded many scholarships, fellowships and research grants.

Melanie Altas, M.D.

SHAPE Physician Principal Investigator

Director - BC Centre for Vulvar Health

Dr. Altas is a Gynaecologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at University of British Columbia. She is the Director of the BC Centre for Vulvar Health at Vancouver General Hospital and a Sexual Medicine Consultant at the BC Cancer Agency. Her current clinical practice is dedicated to vulvovaginal conditions, sexual pain disorders and menopause. Dr. Altas is committed to empowering women with education and tools to heal themselves. Aligned with her professional mission to promote patient-directed care, Dr. Altas regularly collaborates with community health care providers and patient partners, to translate knowledge into practice and improve access to health services for individuals with undertreated conditions.

Alex McKay, PhD

SHAPE NGO Partner Principal Investigator

Executive Director - Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)

Dr. McKay has a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Education. Since 2016, he has been the Executive Director of the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and Managing Editor of the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. At SIECCAN, Alex works with an expert interdisciplinary team focused on sexual health education/promotion research and content and resource development for professional and public audiences. Current SIECCAN projects address sexual health promotion for Autistic and disabled youth, developing and implementing effective sexual health education policy and practice to prevent gender-based violence, and the development of benchmarks for effective comprehensive sexual health education.

Jessica Wood, PhD

SHAPE NGO Partner Principal Investigator

Research Specialist, Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)

Dr. Wood is a Research Specialist with The Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN). In this role she conducts research related to sexual health and sexual health education. She develops resources for educators, health professionals, and policy makers, such as The Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education, and Benchmarks for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Prevention within Sexual Health Education. She acts as an expert consultant with community and government organizations for the development of sexual health education related materials (e.g., media resources, sexual health education curricula). Jessica received her PhD from the University of Guelph in the Applied Social Psychology program. Her research has focused on the sexual health of youth, women, LGBTQ+ people, and people in multi-partner relationships. Jessica is currently an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.

Administration Team

Kaku Lema, MBA

Knowledge Mobilization Manager

Kaku is the Knowledge Mobilization Manager for the SHAPE Hub. In this role, Kaku facilitates the exchange and co-creation of knowledge among researchers, healthcare providers, and patients, working to ensure that information on these conditions is accessible, inclusive and impactful. With a background in project management, Kaku is committed to bridging research and practice to advance sexual health equity and support patient-centered care across Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Human Geography from the University of British Columbia and Master’s of Business Administration in Project Management from Università degli studi Guglielmo Marconi.

Maya Popovich, BFA

Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator

Maya is the Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator for the SHAPE Hub. She supports the exchange and co-creation of knowledge among researchers, healthcare providers, and patients. Her work ensures that information on sexual dysfunction and genito pelvic pain conditions is accessible, inclusive, and usable. She has a longstanding commitment to sexual and reproductive healthcare and a strong belief in improving access to information that supports and empowers women and gender diverse people. Maya holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University and is currently completing a Master of Public Health at Simon Fraser University.

Lareina Sharma

Research Assistant

Lareina is a Research Assistant for the SHAPE Hub, she is an undergraduate student at the University of British Columbia, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. Lareina supports the Indigenous Women & Two-Spirit persons research priority setting by assisting with data collection and outreach. She brings a strong interest in community-based research and is committed to advancing inclusive, patient-centered approaches to sexual health.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Provincial Partners

British Columbia

Catherine Allaire, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.

Clinical Professor and Head, Division of Gynecologic Specialties, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UBC

Dr. Allaire is the co-founder and medical director of the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, a unique interdisciplinary clinic, and has devoted her professional life to investigating and treating these conditions. She was an early adopter and teacher of minimally invasive surgical techniques for gynecologic conditions. She founded and has been director of the UBC Advanced Training Program in Advanced Laparoscopy, Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, a 2 year intensive program that so far has graduated 12 experts who have gone on to offer outstanding care across Canada. She is part of an active endometriosis research team that has substantial CIHR funding and has co-authored over 100 publications in her field. She was the project lead and first author of the recently published SOGC Guidelines on Chronic Pelvic Pain and is a co-author of the SOGC Endometriosis Guidelines. Dr. Allaire is past President of the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence (CanSAGE) and a founding member of EndoAct, a national advocacy group dedicated to driving policy action on endometriosis. She has been an invited speaker at many national and international meetings, where she has advocated for increased awareness and access to evidence-based patient-centered care for those suffering from endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain.

Brittany Bingham, PhD

Assistant Professor, Division of Social Medicine, UBC

Dr. Bingham – (she/her/hers) is a proud member of the shíshálh (Sechelt) nation and holds an MPH and PhD in Health Sciences from Simon Fraser University. Brittany is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Social Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar and Director, Indigenous Research at the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE). Brittany leads Indigenous community-driven health research with the primary aim of improving Indigenous experiences in healthcare and informing system transformation. She has worked in various capacities in research with Indigenous communities, healthcare and policy for 20 years. She is passionate about community-driven research, Indigenous health equity, implementation science, planetary health, climate justice, sexual and reproductive health, health systems research and cultural safety & humility. Brittany is PI of a CIHR grant called the Amplify Study: Elevating the stories of Indigenous women, gender diverse and Two-Spirit peoples.

Katrina Bouchard, PhD, RPsych

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Dr. Bouchard (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia and holds an Investigator Award from the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. She is the Director of the Psychology, Health, and Sexuality Lab (@thephaselab), a multidisciplinary team of researchers working to improve sexual health outcomes for women, people with vulvas, and their partners. Her research is currently funded by the BC Knowledge Development Fund, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the University of British Columbia, and the Women’s Health Research Institute. Dr. Bouchard is a registered psychologist and the Research Director at the BC Centre for Vulvar Health (@hello.vulva). In these roles, she uses evidence-based psychological therapies to help patients coping with sexual and vulvar health concerns and leads the clinical team in developing patient-oriented research on vulvar health.

Jessy Dame, MSN

Lead, Indigenous Gender and Sexual Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

Jessy Dame is a proud Two-Spirit, Métis, Certified Registered Nurse. Jessy’s family is from Treaty 1 and 2 territories, which is known today as Winnipeg and St Rose-du-lac. Jessy has worked within Neonatal/Postnatal health. He currently works casually within a queer sexual health clinic in downtown Vancouver. Jessy is the Indigenous Sex and Gender Leader within the Indigenous Wellness team and the Director of Two-Spirit Health with the Community Based Research Centre. Through these roles Jessy is able to work with and for the Two-Spirit community to create resources and advocate for services.

Samantha Dawson, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, UBC

Dr. Dawson (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar, the Director of the Sexuality and Well-being (SWell) Lab, and a registered clinical psychologist. Her multi-method research program focuses on identifying cognitive and affective mechanisms contributing to sexual function and sexual well-being in individuals and couples, with the goal of using these mechanisms to develop targeted and gender-specific interventions for sexual dysfunction. Her research program involves experimental laboratory-based research using various sexual psychophysiological measures, such as eye tracking, genital plethysmography, as well as more ecologically-valid intensive longitudinal methodologies. Her research is currently funded by operating grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Women’s Health Research Institute, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, as well as the University of British Columbia.

Roxana Geoffrion, M.D.C.M., F.R.C.S.C.

Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Dr. Geoffrion is an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Division of Gynaecologic Specialties. She holds the position of Director at the UBC Fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and serves as Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency research committee. Dedicated to upholding the highest standards of education, Dr. Geoffrion is committed to guiding aspiring medical professionals towards successful academic careers. Her approach involves a fusion of clinical and research mentorship, fostering an environment conducive to comprehensive learning. Continuously striving for excellence in her teaching methods, Dr. Geoffrion has pioneered initiatives such as randomized controlled trials and the development of low-fidelity simulation models. These innovations are specifically designed for the teaching and evaluation of surgical skills in the field of gynecologic surgery. Dr Geoffrion’s research interests also include surgical optimization, and patient outcomes following pelvic floor surgeries. She has co-authored numerous SOGC best practice guidelines in urogynecology. More recently, she has started producing innovative whiteboard animation videos of pelvic floor health, for patient education and knowledge translation based on these guidelines.

Emily Grey

President, The Canadian PSSD Society

Emily Grey is a medical activist using her lived experience of PSSD to advocate for awareness, recognition, and research of the condition. She is teaming up with researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa to increase knowledge about the experiences of people with PSSD. She believes in informed consent for all people receiving mental health treatment. Emily has been telling her story and helping others tell theirs for four years. She is one of the founders of the nonprofit The Canadian PSSD Society. She has been published in Here to Help and Our Bodies Ourselves, and quoted in Healthing magazine, BBC Panorama, and the New York Times.

Tamil Kendall, PhD

Director, Partnership for Women’s Health Research (PWHR) Adjunct Professor School of Population and Public Health, UBC

Dr. Kendall is a Women’s Health researcher with 25 years experience working with community-based civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the United Nations. She holds a PhD in Anthropology and Health Sciences from the University of British Columbia and completed her postdoctoral work with the Women and Health Initiative and Maternal Health Task Force at the Harvard School of Public Health, where she was also a Takemi Fellow in International Health. Dr. Kendall specializes in community-based and policy-oriented research with a focus on gender, sexuality, HIV and sexual and reproductive health. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and four books. Dr. Kendall is the Director of the Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada, a national alliance of Canada’s leading women’s health research institutes. Additionally she serves as Adjunct Professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health. Dr. Kendall is dedicated to generating and mobilizing knowledge in the area of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights to benefit women, trans and non-binary people and their families.

Renée Monchalin, PhD

Assistant Professor, School of Public Health & Social Policy, University of Victoria

Dr. Monchalin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria, a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar, and Director of the Fireweed Project. She is an Affiliate Scientist with the Well Living House, situated within the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital, and an Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Dr. Monchalin holds a CIHR-funded PhD in Public Health Science from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. She holds a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Public Health from Brock University. Dr. Monchalin is a proud citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Her current areas of research include culturally safe health service access with a specific focus on abortion access, Métis Peoples health service access, public health feminist praxis, qualitative and decolonizing methodologies, and community based participatory research.

Options for Sexual Health (Options)

Options for Sexual Health is Canada’s largest non-governmental provider of sexual and reproductive health services offering a range of clinical services and educational resources. Options operates the Sex Sense Information Line, a free, pro-choice, sex-positive, and confidential service staffed by registered nurses, counselors, and sex educators. This Line provides sexual health information to over 10,000 callers annually. SHAPE will provide training to Options Sex Sense, Clinical, and Education team staff regarding gender-sensitive and culturally safe information about sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain, equipping them with evidence-based information to support their care.

Yassie Pirani, MSW, RSW, RCC

Co-Director, Canadian PSSD Society Clinical Director, Willow Leaf Counselling

Yassie Pirani is a trauma therapist based in Vancouver, BC. Yassie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Registered Social Worker with the BC College of Social Workers. She works from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and harm reduction approach. Her research interest and clinical practice focuses on Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD). Yassie is passionate about working alongside PSSD sufferers and their families to help them to come to terms with what has happened to their bodies, and to find ways to channel their loss into positive action. Her work with the PSSD community uniquely positions her to educate fellow healthcare professionals and the public on the real life impacts of this disabling condition. Yassie is committed to raising awareness about PSSD such that prescribers can engage in better patient education and informed consent practices.

Nicole Prestley

Manager, Research & Knowledge Translation, Women’s Health Research Institute

Nicole has worked as a health research facilitator providing support for research operations, grant writing, patient, community and partnership engagement, and knowledge mobilization (KMb) since 2006. She has formal knowledge translation and implementation training from Dr. Melanie Barwick and Dr. Sharon Straus. As the WHRI KMb lead, she acts as a knowledge broker by forming and sustaining multi-sectoral partnerships, builds KMb capacity through formal training and mentorship to the WHRI community, creates sustainable knowledge use through funding facilitation, and raises the profile of women’s health research impact through science communications. Nicole is a champion for integrated knowledge translation and community-engaged research.

Jodie Pulsifer, BAKPE, MPT

Registered Physiotherapist, Full Circle Physiotherapy Clinical Instructor, Department of Physical Therapy, UBC Chair Scope of Practice, Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia Western Allied Health Director-At-Large, Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine

Jodie Pulsifer completed her Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2012 and expanded her training in 2015 to include Pelvic Health and Persistent Pain Support. Jodie’s work is deeply rooted in the intersection of her interest in the human body and providing care that considers healthcare inequities and social justice. Jodie has published work on pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy and she hopes to continue to explore the role of pelvic health physiotherapists in primary obstetric care and the training of providers who work with vulvovaginal pain conditions. As a registered physiotherapist, Jodie offers physiotherapy services for people experiencing pelvic health and sexual pain challenges through a trauma and violence informed lens working virtually in BC and locally in East Vancouver. Currently, she provides patient care at Full Circle Physiotherapy, a network of pelvic health providers spanning the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

Adrienne Sim, MPT

Registered Physiotherapist – BHK, MPT, Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy (Continence and Pelvic Health)

Adrienne Sim is a physiotherapist working primarily in pelvic health since 2014. She graduated with a Masters of Physiotherapy and completed a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy Continence and Pelvic Health, at Curtin University in Western Australia. Adrienne’s clinical practice is focused on prevention and treatment of various pelvic floor disorders through a patient-partnered, biopsychosocial approach. Her passion is pelvic health awareness which she is actively engaged in knowledge translation projects with the Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine and other research initiatives. She was a team member for the web-based “Be Pelvic Health Aware” campaign in 2021-2022, led by Dr. Roxana Geoffrion and funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. Adrienne works in private practice virtually and in Langley, BC. Her practice can be found networked with her colleagues through Full Circle Physiotherapy, a pelvic health collective of independent providers in the BC Lower Mainland.

Kate Wahl, MSc

PhD student, Women and Children’s Health Graduate Program, UBC

Kate Wahl is a PhD student in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia. As a researcher she is interested in new strategies for moving evidence into health policy and practice and currently uses qualitative methods to develop and evaluate approaches for sharing research evidence with the public, healthcare providers, and policy makers. Kate’s current focus is on advancing the health of women and gender diverse people, and she is investigating patient decision aids, education programs, and storytelling in this context. Her research has been supported by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, the Women’s Health Research Institute, the BC SUPPORT Unit, the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the UBC Office of Community Engagement.

Laura Werner, MPT

Pelvic floor physiotherapist, Founder of Laura Werner Physiotherapy

Laura Werner completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology in Athletic Therapy from the University of Calgary in 2002 and a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) from The University of British Columbia in 2008. Their work has focused on the management and treatment of pelvic floor, abdominal, urogynecological and lumbopelvic dysfunctions, including genito-pelvic pain. Laura has worked for the Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program (now the Vulvar Pain Assessment Clinic) at Vancouver General Hospital.

Cally Wesson

President & CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation

Cally Wesson has committed her career to advancing healthcare initiatives for vulnerable populations. With a consistent theme of bringing people together to foster community and drive positive change, Cally continues to lead and inspire her talented staff at BC Women’s Health Foundation. Collaborating with donors, community partners, and an engaged Board, she remains devoted to delivering on strategic priorities aimed at advancing women’s and newborn health.

In her first year, Cally launched BC Women’s Health Research Month and completed the initial phase of the Midlife and Mature Women’s Health campaign, already impacting women’s health in BC and Canada. While CEO of Variety: The Children’s Charity, Cally doubled fundraising efforts, addressing critical gaps in children’s healthcare and education. Her initiatives, such as supporting continuous glucose monitors and private autism assessments, showcased her visionary leadership.

Her commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in BC reflects her passion and skills, making a significant impact on communities. Cally’s leadership embodies a compassionate and visionary approach to women’s and newborn health.

Whitney Wood, PhD

Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women's Health, Department of History, Vancouver Island University

Dr. Wood is Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women’s Health at Vancouver Island University. A historian of gender, health, and the body in 19th and 20th century Canada, Dr. Wood’s research focuses on cultural and medical representations of obstetric and gynecological pain. She is currently working on two projects: Changing Childbirth in Postwar Canada, 1945-2000, funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Insight Development Grant, and is Principal Investigator of a new multi-year collaborative study, Pelvic Health and Public Health in Twentieth Century Canada, funded by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant. Dr. Wood’s recent articles have explored the history of childbirth technologies and maternal evacuation, pelvic examinations and feminist health activism, and obstetric violence in postwar Canada.

Paul Yong, M.D.

Associate Professor & CRC in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Dr. Yong, MD, PhD, FRCSC is a Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain, Associate Professor the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a Gynecologist at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis. Dr. Yong also serves as Assistant Director of the Women’s Health Research Institute and has a clinical and research interest in dyspareunia in endometriosis.

Patient Partner

Person living with Vulvodynia

“I am a Japanese-Canadian cisgender heterosexual person living on the unceded traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. As a mother of two, I have lived with Vulvodynia for most of my life, only discovering what it was in 2017. Upon seeking treatment in 2020 through the BC Centre for Vulvar Health, I was motivated to advocate for this condition and its counterparts. Through my lived experience, I aim to raise awareness about Vulvodynia, especially its impact during pregnancy and postpartum. Additionally, I have been involved in developing The Vulvodynia Toolkit, where I shared my story and provided feedback throughout its development.”

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Ontario

Phillippa Bridge-Cook, PhD

Founding Board Member, The Endometriosis Network Canada

Dr. Bridge-Cook is one of the founding board members of The Endometriosis Network Canada. She is the former chair of the board and now serves as an advisor to the board. Dr. Bridge-Cook is also the co-chair of EndoAct Canada, and a member of the steering committee of the World Endometriosis Organisations. She has had endometriosis for many years, with an experience that includes a 20-year delay in diagnosis, failed treatments, successful treatments, several surgeries, and multiple miscarriages. This experience sparked her passion for helping others who are also suffering as a result of endometriosis, and her desire to create change in the system to decrease the diagnostic delay and make effective multidisciplinary treatment accessible to all Canadians with endometriosis. She was a key member of the team at The Endometriosis Network Canada that secured the largest federal investment to date in endometriosis awareness, access to sexual and reproductive health services, and reduction in barriers to care. Dr. Bridge-Cook has been a featured speaker to government committees and caucuses and has been a panel moderator at healthcare conferences and endometriosis awareness events.
Dr. Bridge-Cook is a scientific advisor, consultant and medical writer specializing in molecular diagnostics. She has experience with clinical practice guidelines, medical education, and regulatory writing.

Jaclyn Lanthier, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UBC Founder and Director, The Lost Labia Chronicles Executive Board Member, Secretary

Dr. Lanthier is a philosopher and researcher. She holds a PhD and a Masters in Philosophy of Neuroscience from Western University, where she developed a methodology for analyzing the epistemic value of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the mind-brain sciences. Dr. Lanthier is the founder of The Lost Labia Chronicles, a content hub for evidence-based education and support. She is a dedicated advocate for individuals affected by vulvar lichen sclerosus, actively participating in patient-oriented initiatives and leveraging her expertise to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. She is passionate about knowledge translation to improve health literacy and quality of life amongst VLS patients.

Kirsten Loop, MA

Technical Writer & Patient Partner

Kirsten has over 20 years of experience in software and information development in various industries. Her degree in English, certification in Technical Communication, and Masters Certificate in Adult Training and Development (Instructional Design) are buttressed by various other psychology intensive, graduate-level courses in research methods. An accomplished photographer, she co-created an award winning travel guide to the erotic subculture of Paris for women in 2009. She is also a certified instructor for the Gyrotonic® method of body movement with specialization in pelvic girdle function. Kirsten was a long-time sufferer of vaginismus and has lived the consequences of health professionals undereducated in the domain of sexual pain disorders. Self-cured in 1998, she writes to shed light on the insidious condition of vaginismus.

Katie Luciani

Executive Director of The Endometriosis Network Canada

Katie Luciani (she/her) has been the Executive Director of The Endometriosis Network Canada since 2019. She’s been actively supporting and advocating for the Canadian endometriosis community since 2014. In Katie’s leadship role, she has organized national endometriosis awareness events, connected with numerous endometriosis patients across the country, and facilitated educational seminars, webinars, and town hall meetings. She led the development of Canada’s first-ever national digital awareness campaign, #Know Endo. Additionally, she has established new partnerships and strengthened existing ones with the Canadian physician community.

Katie has led the development of several endometriosis patient resources, including a 2SLGBTQQIA+ resource, a disability support resource, and a patient education day in collaboration with the Canadian Society for the Advancement of Gynecologic Excellence. Furthermore, she led the establishment of TENC’s ambassador program, which focuses on ensuring representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals living with endometriosis.

As an endometriosis patient herself, Katie brings a unique perspective and understanding of the struggles and challenges faced by those who live with the condition. Though she experienced symptoms since she was 11 years old, she was not diagnosed until she was 27. Her 15 years of experience dealing with medical mismanagement and trauma have inspired her to become a passionate advocate for raising awareness and support for the endometriosis community. Katie believes that every person living with endometriosis should be heard, supported, and ultimately have the opportunity to live a happy, hopeful, and productive life.

Linda McLean, PhD

Professor, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa, Women’s Health Research Endowed Chair

Dr. Linda McLean received her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy from McGill University and later pursued her MSc and PhD in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, respectively. She held academic positions in physiotherapy at Dalhousie University and Queen’s University before moving to the University of Ottawa in 2014 where she is currently Full Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and holds the Endowed Chair in Women’s Health Research. Linda’s dynamic and multidisciplinary laboratory combines her engineering and health sciences expertise to develop innovative approaches to study the biomechanics, motor control and neurophysiology of the female pelvic floor, using advanced techniques including electromyography, dynamometry, ultrasound imaging, motion analysis, quantitative sensory testing and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Her research focuses on the pathophysiology of and interventions for urinary incontinence and sexual pain disorders. Linda holds over $3 million in research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the National Vulvodynia Association. She has published over 140 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and over the past 2 years has been invited to author 4 book chapters and to give 8 invited talks at major national and international conferences. She is Associate Editor for the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Women’s and Pelvic Health, Physical Therapy and the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.

Trinda Penniston, MSc

PhD Student in Clinical Psychology, Sexual Health Research Laboratory (SHRL), Department of Psychology, Queen’s University

Trinda Penniston is a PhD student in Clinical Psychology working under the supervision of Dr. Caroline Pukall in the Sexual Health Research Laboratory at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on the sexual health and wellbeing of racialized and other marginalized groups, with a special interest in Black women. For her doctoral dissertation, Trinda will examine the sexual pleasure and pain experiences of Black women in Canada, specifically how their sexual experiences are defined, measured, and treated when accompanied with distress. Trinda has received funding from various sources to support her research, including the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship, and student-allocated research funding from the International Association of Sex Research (IASR). She has also won several awards for her research including the Black Scholars Excellence in Mentorship Award (Queen’s University Faculty of Arts and Science), the Excellence in EDI Research Award (Department of Psychology, Queen’s University), and the Master’s Thesis Certificate of Academic Excellence (Canadian Psychological Association).

Caroline Pukall, PhD

Canada Research Chair in Sexual Health Professor, Department of Psychology, Queen’s University Director, Sexual Health Research Laboratory Director, Queen’s Sex and Relationship Therapy Service

Dr. Pukall completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. She is currently a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Sexual Health, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Sexual Health Research Laboratory (sexlab.ca), and Director of the Sex and Relationship Therapy Service in the Department of Psychology at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on genito-pelvic dysesthesias, specifically vulvodynia and persistent genital arousal disorder. She adopts an inclusive lens in her research, representing sexual and gender minority groups as well as other marginalized groups. Dr. Pukall has published more than 180 articles and chapters, has been involved in more than 500 presentations, and has written several books. She has also been involved in contributing to and leading treatment recommendation guidelines for genito-pelvic dysesthesia through international organizations, most recently, the International Consultation of Sexual Medicine. Throughout her career she has obtained more than $11.8 million dollars in research funding, primarily from national funding agencies. Dr. Pukall also provides clinical training in evidence-based psychological approaches to sexual and relationship issues to student therapists through her service at the Queen’s Psychology Clinic.

Quebec

Nova Scotia

ongoing studies

Evaluating Barriers to SD/GPP Care

Indigenous Women & Two-Spirit Persons

PSSD - Women & Gender-Diverse People

Black Women & Gender-Diverse People

Evaluating Barriers to SD/GPP Care

Indigenous Women & Two-Spirit Persons

PSSD - Women & Gender-Diverse People

Black Women & Gender-Diverse People

reports

Download report

media

A selection of media articles on recent developments in sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain.

From Planning to Practice: Applications of Knowledge Mobilization for Research Impact

Launch of the SHAPE Hub Resource Portal

Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Antidepressants and Sustained Genital Numbness – What Healthcare Providers Need to Know

UBC seed2STEM Program

‘It feels like we’ve been lobotomised’: the possible sexual consequences of SSRIs

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Each month, we share the latest SHAPE news, resources and funding opportunities. Explore past newsletter issues below

Grants Awardees

Marilyn Ashley, PhD - Postdoctoral Fellow

Academic Institution : Queen's University (Department of Psychology)

SHAPE Research Project: Understanding Distress and Symptom Burden in Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction

Dr. Marilyn Ashley is a postdoctoral research associate with the Sexual Health Research Lab at Queen’s University and a Part-Time Professor in Psychology at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Ashley has published widely on sexual communication, digital intimacy, psychometric measurement, and 2SLGBTQ+ health. Her current projects with Dr. Caroline Pukall include a randomized controlled trial of an online pelvic health program for women with vulvodynia, clinical validation of a sexual self-concept scale, and a program of research on post-SSRI/SNRI sexual dysfunction focused on symptom trajectories and distress profiles, predictors, and bio-psycho-sexual outcomes. Across all projects, Dr. Ashley takes a person-centred approach, critically evaluating whether widely used theories and measurement tools are valid for marginalized populations and adapting them when they are not. Her work aims to center minoritized voices and develop inclusive, evidence-based tools that reflect the diversity of sexual and relational experience.

Shay Freger, MPH, MSc – PhD Candidate

Academic Institution: McMaster University (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

SHAPE Research Project: Neurophysiological and Psychosocial Profiling of Persistent Sexual Dysfunction: A Cross-Condition Study of PSSD and Endometriosis-Associated CPP

Shay’s work focuses on advancing patient phenotyping in endometriosis through integration of biological, clinical, and imaging data. His doctoral research spans autonomic nervous system function, biomarker discovery using novel sampling techniques, and imaging-based characterization of endometriosis phenotypes, with the overarching aim of developing a systems-level framework for precision stratification in chronic pelvic pain. Alongside research, he is a core contributor to EndoACT Canada, supporting policy development toward a national, standards-driven response to endometriosis. He has served as a Board of Director and a Coordinator for Education & Research at The Endometriosis Network Canada (TENC), strengthening patient-facing education and community engagement. Internationally, Shay is an Ambassador for the World Endometriosis Society and has worked alongside the World Endometriosis Organization to accelerate knowledge translation and harmonize research priorities. He has authored peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and policy-oriented outputs, and his work has been recognized with institutional awards for research impact. Collectively, his scholarship and leadership aim to close the translational gap between bench, bedside, and health-system policy, advancing equitable, phenotype-informed care for people with endometriosis.

Thanh Phung, HBSc – PhD Candidate

Academic Institution: University of Toronto Mississauga (Department of Cell and Systems Biology)

Academic Institution: University of Toronto Mississauga (Department of Cell and Systems Biology) SHAPE Research Project: Sex-Specific Neural Responses to Genital Stimulation Following SSRI Exposure and Withdrawal

Thanh is a doctoral researcher at the University of Toronto Mississauga whose work centers on the development of animal models to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sexual reward and genital sensation. Over the course of her doctoral studies, she has independently established a mouse model of tactile genital stimulation, providing a novel framework for investigating the neuroendocrine and behavioral mechanisms of sexual motivation. Her research has yielded insightful contributions to the field, including the identification of a previously undescribed hormone-dependent sexual reflex in female mice and the discovery that, although both sexes experience genital stimulation as rewarding, females uniquely require gonadal hormones for this reward. Building on these findings, Thanh is now leveraging her model to explore how genital sensitivity, arousal, and sexual reward are altered by SSRIs, with the long-term goal of informing new approaches to understanding and addressing sexual dysfunction.

about

our mission

team

Leadership Team

Tripartite Leadership

Lori Brotto, PhD, RPsych

SHAPE Program Principal Investigator

Director - UBC Sexual Health Laboratory, Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health, Professor - Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, Executive Director - Women’s Health Research Institute

Melanie Altas, M.D.

SHAPE Physician Principal Investigator

Director - BC Centre for Vulvar Health

Alex McKay, PhD

SHAPE NGO Partner Principal Investigator

Executive Director - Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)

Jessica Wood, PhD

SHAPE NGO Partner Principal Investigator

Research Specialist, Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN)

Administration Team

Kaku Lema, MBA

Knowledge Mobilization Manager

Maya Popovich, BFA

Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator

Lareina Sharma

Research Assistant

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Provincial Partners

British Columbia

Catherine Allaire, M.D., F.R.C.S.C.

Clinical Professor and Head, Division of Gynecologic Specialties, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UBC

Brittany Bingham, PhD

Assistant Professor, Division of Social Medicine, UBC

Katrina Bouchard, PhD, RPsych

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Jessy Dame, MSN

Lead, Indigenous Gender and Sexual Health, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

Samantha Dawson, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, UBC

Roxana Geoffrion, M.D.C.M., F.R.C.S.C.

Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Emily Grey

President, The Canadian PSSD Society

Tamil Kendall, PhD

Director, Partnership for Women’s Health Research (PWHR) Adjunct Professor School of Population and Public Health, UBC

Renée Monchalin, PhD

Assistant Professor, School of Public Health & Social Policy, University of Victoria

Options for Sexual Health (Options)

Yassie Pirani, MSW, RSW, RCC

Co-Director, Canadian PSSD Society Clinical Director, Willow Leaf Counselling

Nicole Prestley

Manager, Research & Knowledge Translation, Women’s Health Research Institute

Jodie Pulsifer, BAKPE, MPT

Registered Physiotherapist, Full Circle Physiotherapy Clinical Instructor, Department of Physical Therapy, UBC Chair Scope of Practice, Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia Western Allied Health Director-At-Large, Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine

Adrienne Sim, MPT

Registered Physiotherapist – BHK, MPT, Graduate Certificate in Clinical Physiotherapy (Continence and Pelvic Health)

Kate Wahl, MSc

PhD student, Women and Children’s Health Graduate Program, UBC

Laura Werner, MPT

Pelvic floor physiotherapist, Founder of Laura Werner Physiotherapy

Cally Wesson

President & CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation

Whitney Wood, PhD

Assistant Professor & Canada Research Chair in the Historical Dimensions of Women's Health, Department of History, Vancouver Island University

Paul Yong, M.D.

Associate Professor & CRC in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UBC

Patient Partner

Person living with Vulvodynia

Alberta

Lauren Walker, PhD, RPsych

Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine & Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts & Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary

Saskatchewan

Jillian Kerry, BSc, BComm, MPAcc, M.D., F.R.C.S.C

Assistant Professor Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Saskatchewan

Ontario

Phillippa Bridge-Cook, PhD

Founding Board Member, The Endometriosis Network Canada

Jaclyn Lanthier, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UBC Founder and Director, The Lost Labia Chronicles Executive Board Member, Secretary

Kirsten Loop, MA

Technical Writer & Patient Partner

Katie Luciani