Recently I was invited by the Sexual Medicine Society of North America to be part of a panel entitled “What Does Culture Have to Do with It? Expanding the Lens of Sexual Medicine.”

I presented a brief discussion on the importance of cultural sensitivity when working with traditional societies, drawing from my research and experience with Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox individuals and couples. Predictably, part of the discussion focused on the cognitive dissonance involved in consummating a marriage on the wedding night, given the complete lack of sexual experience prior to marriage. Additionally, the impact of masturbation and ejaculation restrictions on men as well as their female partners was discussed.

The entire webinar can be viewed here.