Evidence-Based Knowledge is Power
Our mission at the Center for Genital Health and Education is to conduct high-quality, evidence-based, independent research that will provide practical information to advance three main goals:
Champion the study of genital diversity as the norm for all vulvas
Advance education of sexual pain and pleasure by researching sexual function in the bedroom and out of the research lab
Understanding Pleasure, Arousal and Orgasm throughout the Lifecycle
There is No “Normal” Vulva
In our modern world, few have access to unbiased, evidence-based information about sexual anatomy and sexual function. Junior high sex education, media outlets, and medical clinicians often present a limited picture of what vulvas and vaginas look like, not to mention how they work or don’t work. At the Center, we know that there is no “normal” vulva. Just as with other parts of our anatomy (ie-eyes and hands), every vulva is unique.
Our research will contribute to a better understanding of anatomy, arousal, pain, and satisfaction and how they intersect in sexual function. Just as there’s no one “normal” vulva, there is no one way to define “normal” sexual function. The more we know about healthy, active sexual function in the bedroom, the better we can help others find what works best for them in their private lives and relationships. We prefer expanding and restoring healthy sexual function rather than labeling and treating people as broken and sexually dysfunctional.
Understanding Pain & Pleasure
Integral to our vision is exploring the presence of pain and the experience of pleasure throughout the lifecycle. Although they might seem like polar opposites, pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin. Rather than treating pain or lack of pleasure as symptoms of sexual dysfunction, we advocate the exploration of body, mind, and emotion to uncover the root causes. This self-knowledge can lead to lasting, affirming strategies creating workable, self-driven solutions.
About Us
Meet Elizabeth Wood
Sex Educator
Elizabeth Wood holds a master’s degree in social work and was a sex therapist for many years. She is a member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and the Sexual and Gender Health Collaborative of the Front Range.
She is also a certified member of the Somatic Sex Educators Association. In addition, Elizabeth is a Certified Tantra Educator through the School of Source Tantra. She completed her first training at the Loyola Sexual Wellness Clinic. She has completed all four levels of the Chuluaqui Quodoushka Spiritual Sexuality Teachings and received extensive training in the art and practice of women’s orgasm from Lafayette Morehouse, Orgasmic Providers, and OneTaste. With CFGHE, she is delivering ground-breaking, female-centered, pleasure-forward research.
Meet Dee Hartmann
Women’s Health Physical Therapist
Dee Hartmann, PT, DPT, earned her first degree in physical therapy from Northwestern Medical School of Physical Therapy in 1977, followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from St Ambrose University in 2009. As part of her participation in American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Section on Women’s Health, Dee served as the originating chairman of the task force responsible for creating the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic). She also served on the Vulvar Pain Task Force and co-authored their findings.
A pioneer in her field, Dee has been a member, fellow, president, and board director for a vast array of organizations dedicated to women’s sexual health and pelvic pain, including the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD), and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH). Her research and findings are widely published in journals and books, and she has been a lecturer and instructor at numerous schools, universities, workshops, and conferences. As a sole practitioner, Dee created and worked with patients as Dee Hartmann Physical Therapy from 1991–2017. Continuing to develop and conduct research on pain at CFGHE with an added focus on pleasure, Dee brings much needed, progressive insight into how best to treat women.
Contact Us
We want to hear from you!
Email, call or fill out the form below—we want to connect!
Elizabeth Wood: elizabeth@vulvalove.com / 720-515-0535
Dee Hartmann: dee@vulvalove.com / 312-650-5242