Dr.
Lori A. Brotto
Ph.D.
Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health, Executive Director, Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI)
Professor
Division of Gynaecologic Specialties
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)
Vancouver General Hospital
Overview
Biography
Dr. Brotto is an academic psychologist funded by the CIHR, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Canadian Pain Society, National Vulvodynia Association, and other foundations. She is frequently sought after for media coverage of sexual health related topics and is actively involved in knowledge dissemination.
Teaching
Sexual health interviewing for medical students and obgyn residents. Supervisor for psychology residency.
Research Interests/Skills
My program of research focuses on women’s sexual health, broadly speaking. Specific lines of research focus on the development and testing of mindfulness-based and psychological treatments for women’s
Publications
Publications
2019-2020 listed below. All publications can be found at https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/publications/
- Bringing more voices to the table: Community responses to our sexual harassment guest editorial.
van Anders, S.M., Chivers, M.L., Brotto, L.A., Herbenick, D., Jawed-Wessel, S., & Galarza, J. Archives of Sexual Behavior (Advanced Online Publication)
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01723-w - Preliminary validation of the sexual distress scale-short form: Applications to women, men, and prostate cancer survivors.
Santos-Iglesias, P., Bergeron, S., Brotto, L.A., Rosen, N.O., Walker, L.M.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (Advanced Online Publication) - Women’s sexual desire, trauma exposure, and posttraumatic stress disorder
O’Loughlin, J.I., & Brotto, L.A.
Journal of Traumatic Stress (Advanced Online Publication)
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22485 - Ace and Aro: Understanding differences in romantic attractions among persons identifying as asexual
Antonsen, A.N., Zdaniuk, B., & Brotto, L.A.
Archives of Sexual Behavior (Advanced Online Publication)
DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-01600-1 - Understanding alcohol and tobacco consumption in asexual samples: A mixed‑methods approach
Bauer, C., Kaye, S.L. & Brotto, L.A.
Archives of Sexual Behavior (2020), 49, 733-755.
doi:10.1007/s10508-019-01570-4 - Oncology clinic-based hereditary cancer genetic testing in a population-based health care system
Richardson, M., Min, H. J.,Hong, Q., Compton, K., Mung, S. W., Lohn, Z., Nuk, J., McCullum, M., Portigal-Todd, C. Karsan, A., Regier, D., Brotto, L. A., Sun, S., Schrader, K. A.
Cancers (2020), 12(2), 338.
DOI:10.3390/cancers12020338 - Development and validation of a measure of responsive sexual desire
Velten, J., Dawson, S. J., Suschinsky, K., Brotto, L. A. & Chivers, M. L.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (2020), 46(2), 122-140.
DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2019.1654580 - The Power of the Present: Effects of Three Mindfulness Tasks on Women’s Sexual Response
Velten, J., Brotto, L. A., Chivers, M. L., Hirschfeld, G., & Margraf, J.
Clinical Psychological Science (2020), 8(1), 125-38
doi.org/10.1177/2167702619861394 - Eating Disorders and Sexual Function Reviewed: A Trans-diagnostic, Dimensional Perspective
Dunkley, C. R, Svatko, Y., & Brotto, L. A.
Current Sexual Health Reports (2020), 12, 1-14
doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00236-w - Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Provoked Vestibulodynia: Mediators of Treatment Outcome and Long-Term Effects
Brotto, L. A., Bergeron, S., Zdaniuk, B., & Basson, R.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2020), 88(1), 48-64
doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000473 - Depression, anxiety, and pelvic floor symptoms before and after surgery for pelvic floor dysfunction
Larouche, M., Brotto, L. A., Koenig, N. A. Lee, T., Cundiff,G. W., Geoffrion, R.
Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (2020), 26(1)
- How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Women’s Sexual Desire? Role of Depression, Stress, and Cortisol
O’Loughlin, J. I., Rellini, A. H., & Brotto, L. A.
The Journal of Sex Research (Advanced Online Publication)
doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1693490 - Dual control model in a cross-cultural context: Sexual excitation mediates differences in sexual response and behavior between Chinese and Euro-Caucasian women in Canada
Dang, S.S., Gorzalka, B.B., & Brotto, L.A.
Archives of Sexual Behavior (2019), 48(8), 2519 – 2535.
doi: 10.1007/s10508-019-01535-7 - Provoked Vestibulodynia in Women with Pelvic Pain
Bao, C. Noga, H., Allaire, C., Williams, C., Bedaiwy, M. A., Sadownik, L. A., Brotto, L.A.
Sexual Medicine (2019), 7(2), 227-234 - Development and validation of a measure of responsive sexual desire
Velten, J., Dawson, S. J., Suschinsky, K., Brotto, L. A. & Chivers, M. L.
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy (Advanced Online Publication)
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2019.1654580 - Sexual Function, Quality of Life, and Experiences of Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study
Fischer,O, J., Marguerie, M., Brotto, L. A.
Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019), 7, 530-539.
doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.005 - The Impact of Multidisciplinary Treatment on Psychological Functioning and Sexual Penetration among Women with Provoked Vestibulodynia
Smith, K.B., Seal, B.N., Sadownik, L.A., & Brotto, L.A.
Journal of Gynecology and Women Healthcare (2019), 2, 107. - Heritage and mainstream acculturation’s association with sexual response in young Chinese men and women in Canada
Dang, S.S., Hewitt, P.L., & Brotto, L.A.
The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (2019), 28(2), 159-176.
doi:10.3138/cjhs.2019-0017 - “I can see you”: The impact of implied social presence on visual attention to erotic and neutral stimuli in men and women
Milani, S., Brotto, L.A., & Kingstone, A.
The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (2019), 28(2), 105-119.
doi:10.3138/cjhs.2019-0007 - Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: Psychological Aspects and Approaches
Brotto, L.A., Bryce, M., & Todd, N.
In Creighton, S.M. & Liao, L.M. (Ed.) Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery: Solution to What Problem? (2019) - A comparison of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy vs. cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of provoked vestibulodynia in a hospital clinic setting
Brotto, L.A., Bergeron, S., Zdaniuk, B., Driscoll, M., Grabovac, A., Sadownik, L.A., Smith, K.B., & Basson, R.
Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019), 16, 909-923
doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.04.002 - Physical Pain as Pleasure: A Theoretical Perspective
Dunkley, C. R., Henshaw, C. D., Henshaw, S. K., & Brotto, L. A.
The Journal of Sex Research (2019), 1-17
doi: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1605328 - Sexual health recovery for prostate cancer survivors: The proposed role of acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions.
Bossio, J. A., Miller, F., O’Loughlin, J., & Brotto, L. A.
Sexual Medicine Reviews (2019), 7(4), 627-635
doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.03.001 - The Role of Consent in the Context of BDSM
Dunkley, C. R., & Brotto, L. A.
Sexual Abuse (Advanced online publication)
doi:10.1177/1079063219842847 - Analysis of 16 years of calls and emails to the Options for Sexual Health “Sex Sense” information and referral service
Ferreira, J. M., Collins, M., Palmqvist, H., Sollows, E., Pasquino, N., Bahamondes, L., & Brotto, L. A.
Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (2019), 28(1), 38–45
doi:10.3138/cjhs.2018-0008 - Dehydroepiandrosterone and cortisol as markers of HPA axis dysregulation in women with low sexual desire
Basson, R., O’Loughlin, J., Weinberg, J., Young, A.H., Bodnar, T., & Brotto, L. A.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 104, 259-268
doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.03.001 - Multidisciplinary treatment for provoked vestibulodynia: Treatment trajectories, predictors, and moderators of sexual distress and pain
Smith, K. B., Sadownik, L. A., Dargie, E., Albert, A. Y. K., & Brotto, L. A.
Clinical Journal of Pain (Advanced online publication)
doi: 10.1097/AJP.0000000000000682 - Is pelvic floor sEMG a measure of women’s sexual response?
Hannan-Leith, M. N., Dayan, M., Hatfield, G. Lalumière, M. L. Albert, A. Y., Brotto, L. A.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019), 16(1), 70-82
doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.10.013 - Love with HIV: A latent class analysis of sexual and intimate relationship experiences among Canadian women living with HIV
Carter, A., Greene, S., Money, D., Sanchez, M., Webster, K., Nicholson, V., Brotto, L.A., Hankins, C., Kestler, M., Pick, N., O’Brien, N., Salters, K., Patterson, S., Proulx-Boucher, K., de Pokomandy, A., Loutfy, M., Kaida, A., CHIWOS Research Team. (2019).
Archives of Sexual Behaviour (In Press) - What do different measures of pain tell us? A comparison in sexually active women with provoked vestibulodynia
Rathenborg, F. L. W., Zdaniuk, B., Brotto, L. A.
Journal of Sexual Medicine (2019), 16(2), 278-288.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.12.001 - The relationship between sexual concordance and sexual functioning in women
Suschinsky, K. D., Huberman, J. S., Maunder, L., Brotto, L. A., Hollenstein, T., & Chivers, M. L.
Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. Advanced online publication (2019).
doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2018.1518881 - Sexual harassment in the field of sexuality research (Guest Editorial)
Herbenick, D., van Anders, S.M., Brotto, L.A., Chivers, M.L., Jawed-Wessel, S., Galarza, J.
Archives of Sexual Behavior (2019)
doi: 10.1007/s10508-019-1405-x
Grants
Grants
-
UBC VP Research & Innovation / Collaborative Research Mobility Award.
Transforming women’s health care through research and collaboration: A provincial strategy. (2018-2019).
PI: Brotto. L. -
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Undergraduate Summer Researcher Award.
Investigations into the neural underpinnings & biological correlates of asexuality. (2018).
PI: Brotto. L. Student: Wang, A. -
International Society for Sexual Medicine Grant
EYES Study: Investigating visual attention and sexual response in women with and without sexual concerns. (2017-2019).
PIs: Velten, J. & Brotto, L. A. -
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Reach Award
Disseminating infographic scientific data about women’s genital pain using social media.(2017).
PI: Brotto, L. A.
Co-Lead: Barry, L. -
Prostate Cancer Canada, Movember Discovery Grant
Innovations in the treatment of sexual dysfunction and couple intimacy after prostate cancer: A randomized trial of mindfulness versus cognitive behavioural therapy. (2017-2019).
PI: Brotto, L.
Co-I: Higano, C. - Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Scholars Theme Development Workshop.
Establishing a UBC collaborative of mindfulness and contemplative practices research. (2017).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Planning and Dissemination Grant.
Improving consideration of sex and gender in clinical trials of cardiovascular disease. (2016-2017).
PIs: Brotto, L., & Pederson, A.
Co-Is: Coen, S., Doull, M. J., Jull, J. E., Petkovic, J., Puil, L., Runnels, V. E., Shea, B. J., Welch, V. A., Yoganathan, M. - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Discovery Grant Program Award.
Investigations into the neural underpinnings and biological correlates of asexuality. (2017-2022).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Convening & Collaborating award.
Transforming women’s health through research: A provincial research strategy. (2016-2018).
PI: Brotto, L.
Co-Is: Shaw, D., Ogilvie, G., Mitchell, S., & K. Dewar. - Astrazeneca Canada Inc.
Oncology clinic-based testing in British Columbia. (2016-2017).
PIs: Brotto, L.A., & Schrader, I.
CoI’s: Sun, S., Aubertin, G., Nuk, J. - Canadian Foundation for Innovation / John R. Evans Leaders Fund – Partnerships, in collaboration with British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.
UBC Women’s Sexual and Vulvo-vaginal Health Research Facility. (2016-2017).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - VCHRI 2015 Innovation and Translational Research Award.
North America’s first Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program: Establishing a program of research to improve genital pain in BC women. (2015-2017).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Smith, K. & Sadownik, L. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Operating grant.
Randomized comparison of mindfulness versus group support for treatment of low sexual desire in women. (2014-2019).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Chivers, M., Lalumière, M. & Schonert-Reichl, K. - Leslie Diamond Foundation.
Ending unvoiced pain: A comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for women’s genital pain. (2013).
PIs: Brotto, L.A., Sadownik, L., & Thomson, S. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Dissemination Grant.
Exporting an effective and feasible multidisciplinary vulvodynia program to the community. (2013-2014).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Sadownik, L.A., Klein, C. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Dissemination Grant.
Innovations in gynaecologic specialties: Translating science into improved health for Canadian women. (2013-2014).
PI: Brotto, L. A.
Co-Is: Allaire, C., Cundiff, G., Geoffrion, R., Lazare, D., Money, D., Smith, K., Wilkie, D., Williams, C., Yong, P. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Operating Grant.
Integrated Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy versus Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Provoked Vestibulodynia. (2012- 2015).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Bergeron, S., Grabovac, A., Sadownik, L., Smith, K., Driscoll, M. - National Vulvodynia Association, Medical Research Fund.
Fertility, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Pain Outcomes among Women with Vulvodynia. (2011-2015).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Smith, K.B., Basson, R., Sadownik, L.A. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Operating Grant.
Stress Hormones, Mood and Women’s Sexual Desire. (2011-2015).
PIs: Brotto, L.A., & Basson, R.
Co-Is: Petkau, A., Rellini, A.H., Weinberg, J., Young, A. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Catalyst Grant.
Online psychoeducational treatment for sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors. (2010-2014).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Miller, D., & Brown, C. - BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network Seed Grant.
Biological markers of asexuality. (2010).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network Development Grant.
Multidisciplinary vulvodynia research program. (2010).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Sadownik, L., Thomson, S. - Hampton Research Fund Endowment.
Sex, memory, and culture. (2009-2011).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Gorzalka, B.B. & Ryder, A.G. - Women’s Health Research Institute Catalyst Grant.
The IMPROVED study: Integrated mindfulness for provoked vestibulodynia. (2009-2010).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Knudson, G., Sadownik, L., & Thomson, S. - Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Grant-in-Aid Program.
Exploring acculturation and attitudes in Chinese women’s reproductive health behaviours. (2008-2009).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Canadian Pain Society.
Physician outreach and education about vulvodynia and the new Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program (MVP). (2008).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Leslie Diamond Foundation.
Ending unvoiced pain: A comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for women’s genital pain. (2008-2014).
PIs: Brotto, L.A., Sadownik, L., & Thomson, S. - British Columbia Medical Services Foundation Grant.
Group psychoeducational treatment for women with sexual arousal and desire difficulties. (2007-2012).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Knudson, G., & Luria, M. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Operating Grant.
Advanced ovarian cancer and sexuality. (2006-2011).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Ehlen, T., Heywood, M., Hoskins, P. Miller, D., Pike, J., Plante, M, Stuart, G., Swenerton, P. - HeRRO CIHR Seed Funds.
Cancer health behaviours, attitudes towards sexuality, and acculturation: Decreasing disparities in East Asian women. (2006).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Barroetavena, M.C., & Gorzalka, B. - Hampton Fund Research Grant in the Humanities and Social Sciences
The role of acculturation in the interaction between barriers to cancer screening and sexuality-related beliefs and behaviours. (2006-2008).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Barroetavena, M.C., Gorzalka, B.B. - British Columbia Cancer Agency.
Exploring Damocles Syndrome (fear of cancer recurrence) in patients and health care providers. (2006).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Faculty of Medicine, Spring Start Up Funds.
Efficacy of psychoeducation and Zestra™ for sexual dysfunction after radiation therapy. (2005).
PI: Brotto, L.A. - Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, Establishment Grant.
Cervical cancer and sexuality: Effects of a psychoeducational intervention and sildenafil on sexual arousal, relationship satisfaction and quality of life after hysterectomy. (2004-2006).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Thompson, S., Miller, D. - Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Operating Grant.
Cervical cancer and sexuality: Effects of a psychoeducational intervention and sildenafil on sexual arousal, relationship satisfaction, and quality of life after hysterectomy. (2004-2008).
PI: Brotto, L.A.
Co-Is: Basson, R., Thompson, S., Miller, D.
Projects
Projects
Awards
Awards
Awards
The Association of Academic Professionals in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (APOG) Excellence in Research Award (2017)
Nominated to receive a Women Influencer Award from the Women’s Collaborative Hub (2017)
Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association (2016)
Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health, Tier 2 (2016-2021)
The Ira and Harriet Reiss Theory Award for Bogaert & Brotto (2014) “Object of Desire Self-Consciousness Theory”, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 40, 323-338. Sponsored by the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. (2015)
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Clinical and Applied Research. (2015)
Nominated to receive the UBC President’s Award for Public Education through Media. (2014)
Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, Early Career Scholar (2011-2012)
Nominated to receive the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Health and Active Living Category. (2009)
International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Prize Essay Award Recipient. (2008)