Advances in women's health, practice of obstetrics and gynaecology to be discussed at SOGC

WHY: The 66th Annual Clinical Meeting of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). Leading international and Canadian experts will meet to discuss the latest knowledge and advances in women's health and in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. WHO: Over 800 delegates including obstetricians and gynaecologists, family physicians, general practitioners, nurses, midwives, residents, medical students and international health experts. WHAT: Five days of sessions covering topics in women's health, including the latest research relating to pregnancy, menopause, sexual health, contraception, and gynaecology. WHEN: June 2-6, 2010 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. WHERE: The Sheraton Centre 1201 René-Lévesque Boulevard West Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Members of the media are invited to attend this event. Please register on-site at the SOGC Registration Desk.

For complete event program, visit http://sogc.org/cmes/acm2010/english. Please note that the media are able to attend all symposiums but are not able to be present at best practice sessions or post-graduate courses. However, media interviews with faculty members can be arranged.

Media Highlights

As the G8 approaches, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is urging the Canadian government to recognize that a strategy on maternal and child health must focus on preventing deaths during delivery and childbirth.

The following spokespersons will be available for comment:

- Dr. André Lalonde, Executive Vice-President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), and Canadian representative of the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) as well as the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) - Dr. Dorothy Shaw, past President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) as well as the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO), and Canadian spokesperson for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH).

Sexual Desire: More Than Just A "Feeling"

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada wants Canadian women to better understand the physical and psychosocial causes that may predispose to, precipitate or maintain a loss of desire.

The following spokespersons will be available for comment:

- Dr. Alessandra Graziottin, Director of the Centre of Gynaecology and Medical Sexology at the H. San Raffaele Resnati in Milan, and Consultant Professor at the University of Florence, in Italy. - Dr. Nathalie Gamache, Gyanecologist and Women's Health Specialist at the Shirley E. Greenberg Women's Health Centre in Ottawa, and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

Product Launch: Am I Pregnant? online and mobile application

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada will be launching its new online and mobile application to help Canadian women better understand the signs and symptoms of pregnancy and determine what their chances are of having conceived.

The following spokesperson will be available for comment:

- Dr. Amanda Black, SOGC member responsible for development of the new online and mobile application. Dr. Black is an obstetrician/gynaecologist who works at the Ottawa General Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). She is also an Assistant Professor in obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Ottawa.

International Women's Health Symposium

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

During this year's International Women's Health Symposium, we will reflect on the progress of women's health issues in the development arena, specifically regarding three main issues: maternal mortality, cervical cancer and female genital mutilation. As guest speakers share their own experiences of advocating for women's health internationally, we will explore some of the issues which have gained importance thanks to advocacy and review what it takes for advocacy efforts to be successful and to ultimately improve the lives of women around the world.