The Role of the Otolaryngologist in Sexual Health

Sexual health is an often neglected topic in otolaryngology. Ironically, most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) demonstrate head and neck manifestations. Furthermore, many aspects of human sexuality, both pathologic and nonpathologic, are also integral to the head and neck. The human papillomavirus (HPV) serves as a prime example of the otolaryngologist's increasingly important role. In recent decades, HPV-mediated head and neck cancer has surpassed HPV-mediated cancer in other parts of the body. This dramatic rise has led to not only a change in the staging system, but also a fundamental shift in the treatment paradigm. Similarly, when considering all aspects of sexual health pertaining to the head and neck, a comparable paradigm shift is needed due to the changing needs of our patients. To accomplish this, otolaryngologists must be better educated and take a leading role when it comes to sexual health.