Brotto, Lori

Professor

PhD

Associate Co-Head, Research

Biography

Dr. Lori Brotto is a renowned figure in the field of women’s sexual health. As a Professor in the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she holds a Canada Research Chair, focusing on developing safe and accessible treatments for prevalent sexual concerns in women. Driven by a commitment to equity, she champions the use of digital health technologies to broaden access to these treatments.

Dr. Brotto also serves as the Executive Director for the Women’s Health Research Institute, with a mandate of advancing women’s health research. Her leadership supports over 700 members across the province of BC in their pursuit of knowledge across all aspects of women’s health.

Recognized for her expertise, Dr. Brotto frequently appears in the media, radio, and notable documentaries, including Netflix’s “The Principles of Pleasure” and the CBC Gem network’s “The Big Sex Talk” And most recently a Masterclass focused on the Magic of Menopause. She has authored two mindfulness-focused books: “Better Sex Through Mindfulness” (2018) and “The Better Sex Through Mindfulness Workbook” (2022), both published by Greystone Publishing and the 2018 book appears in the New York Times top 8 sexual health books (2024). Recent awards include: the Ellen Laan Award for Translational Sexual Science from the International Academy of Sex Research (2025); BC Business Magazine’s Woman of the Year Award, Changemaker Category (2025); UBC Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Researcher Award for Overall Excellence as a Senior Faculty (2024); and the Outstanding Contribution Award from the Canadian Sex Research Forum.

Dr. Brotto believes in the power of personal stories and lived experiences to shape science. In her role as a Registered Psychologist in BC, she works with individuals seeking to enhance their sexual well-being.

An advocate for women’s leadership, Dr. Brotto actively encourages young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM). She engages with the public on social media platforms (@DrLoriBrotto and @ubcshr), where she continues to empower women and advance women’s sexual health research.

Areas of Interest in Teaching/Research

Dr. Brotto is a clinical psychologist whose research focuses on developing and testing psychosocial interventions for women’s sexual and pain-related difficulties. One in three women is affected by sexual dysfunction and chronic genital pain, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Dr. Brotto’s research directly informs clinical care and international treatment guidelines used by healthcare providers around the globe. As Tier 2 CRC (2016-26), Dr. Brotto achieved outstanding productivity and recognition as an international leader in women’s sexual health.