Vulvar disorders are common, often misdiagnosed, and frequently under-treated—leading to unnecessary suffering and delayed care. In this essential session, Dr. Andrew Goldstein will provide a clear, practical overview of the most common vulvar conditions encountered in clinical practice, including lichen sclerosus, vulvodynia, and other causes of chronic vulvar pain. Attendees will learn how to recognize key clinical signs, avoid common diagnostic pitfalls, and implement effective, evidence-based treatments for improved patient outcomes.
Andrew T. Goldstein, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified gynecologist, Clinical Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine, and internationally recognized expert in vulvovaginal disorders, sexual pain, and regenerative therapies in women’s health. He is the Director of the Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Dr. Goldstein earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Beth Israel Medical Center. He joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1999 before founding the Centers for Vulvovaginal Disorders in 2002.
A past president of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), Dr. Goldstein is a fellow of multiple professional societies, including ISSVD, ISSM, SMSNA, and SSTAR. He is the founder and president of the Gynecologic Cancers Research Foundation and has served as associate editor for The Journal of Sexual Medicine, The Female Patient, and Current Sexual Health Reports.
Dr. Goldstein has co-authored or edited four major books—including Reclaiming Desire and When Sex Hurts—and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and chapters on vulvodynia, vestibulodynia, lichen sclerosus, and female sexual pain. A sought-after speaker and media contributor, he has been featured in national outlets including Good Morning America, The View, 20/20, and The New York Times. He is also deeply committed to global health and spent a year volunteering with his family across South America and Southeast Asia, supporting medical NGOs in underserved communities.