Meet the Sexual Health And genito-Pelvic pain knowledge Empowerment Hub
In recognition of Sexual Health Week (February 8–14), we are spotlighting the Sexual Health and Genito-Pelvic Pain Knowledge Empowerment Hub (SHAPE), a pan-Canadian initiative dedicated to addressing the barriers to evidence-based information and treatment for sexual dysfunction and and genito-pelvic pain are understood, researched, and treated in Canada.
Sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain (SD/GPP) are common, distressing, and too often misunderstood health concerns. For many people, especially women and gender-diverse people—seeking care can mean years of delayed diagnosis, dismissal by healthcare providers, and limited access to effective, evidence-based treatment. These longstanding gaps in care and information inspired the creation of the SHAPE Hub.
We spoke with members of the SHAPE Hub team, including Kaku Lema, Knowledge Mobilization Manager, and Maya Popovich, Knowledge Mobilization Coordinator, to learn more about what inspired SHAPE’s creation, the partnerships that made it possible, and the resources now available to patients, providers, and communities across Canada.
What inspired the creation of the SHAPE Hub?
The SHAPE Hub was developed in response to significant and persistent gaps in sexual and genito-pelvic pain health care and information. SHAPE specifically aims to close gaps in:
- Access to equitable, evidence-based, gender-sensitive, and culturally safe care.
- Awareness that many sexual dysfunctions and pain conditions are treatable and not “normal” or something patients must endure.
- Training and guidance for healthcare providers on diagnosing and managing SD/GPP.
- Inclusive research by working with systemically marginalized communities to identify the research questions that matter most to them, including Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit people, Black Women and gender-diverse people, and people affected by post-SSRI sexual dysfunction..
- Training and mentorship to support the next generation of researchers and clinicians working in sexual health.
Who was involved in shaping the SHAPE Hub and its content?
People with lived and living experience of SD/GPP (PWLLE)
People with lived and living experience of sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain are central partners in SHAPE’s work. They work alongside researchers and clinicians to co-develop research priorities, knowledge products, and guide how knowledge is shared ensuring it reflects real experiences, needs, and priorities.
Clinicians across care settings
Clinicians working across the health system including gynecologists, psychologists, and primary care practitioners
work with SHAPE to co-develop knowledge products that are relevant to everyday clinical practice . These clinicians ensure materials are clinically accurate, and support dissemination to healthcare providers through national bodies such as the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).
Researchers across disciplines
Researchers from multiple disciplines, includingsexual health, psychology, history, public health form the research backbone of the Hub. Their role includes synthesizing evidence, identifying gaps in existing research, and translating findings into usable resources for both public and clinical audiences.
Communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and policy makers
National organizations play a central role in co-creation and dissemination. The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) acts as a key NGO partner, hosting and disseminating public-facing resources.
What made the SHAPE Hub possible?
Several key enablers supported SHAPE’s development and sustainability:
Tripartite leadership
SHAPE’s leadership model brings together academic leadership, clinical expertise, and SIECCAN as an NGO partner providing a national platform for hosting and disseminating resources.
Partnership with national professional associations
Partnership with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) supports translation of evidence into clinical tools and guidelines, helping bridge the research-to-practice gap.
Community and patient-led organization partnerships
Partnerships with community and patient-led organizations, including the Canadian PSSD Society, support inclusive research priority setting, lived-experience leadership, and knowledge sharing that reflects real-world needs and gaps in care.
CIHR funding and institutional support
Core funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research enabled coordination, knowledge mobilization, and sustained collaboration. Additional support from the Women’s Health Research Institute strengthened governance and long-term sustainability of SHAPE’s activities.
Capacity-building and trainee support partnerships
The Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada supports trainee and early-career researcher engagement through mentorship and training.
What can visitors find on the SHAPE Hub?
Visitors to the SHAPE Hub website can find information on current research studies, reports on research priority setting projects, annual reports, newsletters and curated collection of presentations, talks, and webinars. Together, these resources share evidence and practical knowledge related to sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain.
SHAPE Resource Portal
The SHAPE Resource portal, hosted by Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), provides evidence-based, plain-language, resources for both the public and healthcare providers focused on sexual dysfunction and genito-pelvic pain (SD/GPP). resources were co-created by researchers, clinicians, and individuals with lived and living experience of SD/GPP and support awareness, assessment and management of SD/GPP.
All resources are available in English and French and are grounded in lived experience, reflecting a biopsychosocial approach to care.
Visitors will find:
- For patients and the public: resources on a range of conditions including vulvodynia, endometriosis, post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD), low sexual desire, and orgasm difficulties
- For healthcare providers: screening tools and primary care toolkits to support clinical practice
Current Research Priority-Setting Studies
Over the past year, SHAPE has led three community-driven research priority-setting projects that center voices from marginalized communities. Current focus areas include:
- Sexual difficulties and genito-pelvic pain among Indigenous Women and Two-Spirit people.
- Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction (PSSD) among women and gender-diverse people in Canada.
- Sexual difficulties and genito-pelvic pain among Black women and gender-diverse people.
Knowledge Mobilization Training
The SHAPE Hub offers knowledge mobilization training workshops for trainees and early career researchers. Access previous training sessions.
Educational Webinars
A collection of presentations, talks, and webinars that share current research findings and knowledge mobilization efforts in sexual dysfunction and genito pelvic pain.
SHAPE Annual Reports
The SHAPE Hub maintains a collection of annual reports summarizing its key activities, outputs, and impact over the year.
How can trainees and early-career researchers get involved?
In addition to training on knowledge mobilization, SHAPE offers funded research opportunities for early-career researchers.
In May 2025, SHAPE awarded three trainee-led research grants aligned with community-identified priorities in SD/GPP. SHAPE will award $30,000 annually in trainee research grants across 2025, 2026, and 2027.
Learn more about the 2025 SHAPE Trainee Research Grant recipients, and keep an eye out for the 2026 call for applications.
Get involved and stay connected
- Sign up for the SHAPE newsletter via the website to stay up to date on projects and opportunities.
- Explore and support SHAPE’s community partners, including Sex Information and Education Council of Canada, the Canadian PSSD Society, Options for Sexual Health, and CanWaCH.