Prof. E.T.M. Laan PhD

All Publications

September 1, 2015

ELLEN T.M. LAAN, PhD, dr.h.c.

Registered Healthcare Psychologist, PSYCHOLOOG NIP, Sexologist-NVVS

Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology Academic Medical Center  University of Amsterdam
H4-205 Meibergdreef 9
1105 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
(+31) 20 566 4354
email e.t.laan@ amc.uva.nl

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of birth: April 3, 1962 in Abbekerk
Parental status: two daughters, Leah (20-03-1996), and Britt (05-01-2000)

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. in Psychology, cum laude, June 1994, University of Amsterdam
• M.A. in Clinical Psychology, cum laude, August 1988, University of Amsterdam
• Dutch language and literature, 1980-1982, University of Amsterdam
• VWO 1974-1980 in Schagen

CURRENT AND PAST PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• AMC Principal Investigator of the Department of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. January 2009 to present.
• Research Fellow of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. June 2007 to present.
• Associate Professor at the Department Sexology and Psychosomatic Ostetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. November 2005 to present.
• Associate Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. July 2002 to November 2005.
• Assistant Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. January 1998 to July 2002.
• Senior member of the Experimental Psychopathology (EPP) Research School and of the Cognitive Science Center Amsterdam of the University of Amsterdam. January 1998 to present.
• Senior researcher at the Outpatient Clinic for Psychosomatic Gynecology and Sexology, University Hospital of Leiden, May 1998 to May 1999.
• Research Fellow (post-doc) of the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences at the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. January 1995 to January 1998.
• Research Associate Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. June 1993 to January 1995.
• Junior researcher of the Institute for Emotion and Motivation at the Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. June 1989 to June 1993.

CLINICAL WORK

• Registered healthcare psychologist (GZ-psychologist) (BIG registration number 39051435025).
• Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Sexology and Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, January 2001 to present.
• Clinical Psychologist at Amsterdam Drug Abuse Center. December 1988 to June 1989.
• Clinical internship at Outpatient Clinic Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam. January to December 1987.

PHD SUPERVISION

• Sexual function in women with PCOS and POI, Hester Pastoor, PhD student at Erasmus University Rotterdam,  Promotor.
• Vulvodynia in family practice, Peter Leusink, family phycisian. Promotor.
• Plastic surgery meets sexology, Mujde Ozer, PhD student at VU University, . Estimated date of thesis 2018. Co-promotor.
• Effects of abdominal hysterectomy on sexual function, Marielle Lakeman. Supported by Academic Medical Center Amsterdam. PhD obtained 2012. Co-promotor.
• Dyspareunia in women: A painful affair, Marieke Brauer. Supported by Universiteit Leiden. PhD project of the EPP Research School. PhD obtained 2008. Co-promotor.
• Gender differences in sexual motivation, Stephanie Both. Supported by University of Amsterdam. PhD project of the EPP Research School. PhD obtained 2004. Co-promotor.
• Nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery, Cees Maas. Supported by Universiteit Leiden. PhD obtained October 2003. Supervision.
• The role of traumatic memories in the activation and inhibition of men with erectile disorder (NWO 575.29.002), Mark Spiering. PhD project of the EPP Research School. PhD obtained March 2003. Supervision.
• A psychophysiological investigation of the pelvic floor: The mechanism of vaginismus (NWO 575.68.062), Janneke van der Velde. PhD obtained November 1999, University of Amsterdam. Supervision.
• Chronic renal failure and sexual functioning, Arno Toorians. PhD obtained November 1994, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Supervision.

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND HONORS

• Recipient of an honorary doctorate of the Medical Faculty, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, March 15, 2012
• President of the International Academy of Sex Research 2011-2012
• President-Elect of the International Academy of Sex Research 2010-2011
• Research Fellow of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. Honorary title for faculty involved in the Kinsey Institute’s research program.
• Psychology-New Investigator Prize Winner at the 5th annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Lisbon, Portugal, March 2006 (Brauer, M., ter Kuile, M.M., Janssen, S., & Laan, E. The effect of anxiety on sexual arousal in women with superficial dyspareunia.)
• Psychology-clinical Prize Winner at the 3rd annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Atlanta, USA, October 2004 (Brauer, M., Laan, E., & ter Kuile, M.M. Sexual arousal in women with superficial dyspareunia.)
• First laureate of the Koos Slob-award (2004) for best article published in 2002-2003 in the Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie (Laan, E. (2003). Wanneer is een seksueel probleem een seksuele disfunctie? Problemen bij de classificatie van seksuele stoornissen van vrouwen. Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie, 27, 62-69).
• Aspasia grant awarded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (015.001.099) Gender and sexual arousal, June 2002.
• Determinants of female sexual arousal (Laan & Everaerd, 1995) selected for publication in G.F. Kelly (Ed.) SOURCES: Notable Selections in Human Sexuality. Guilford: Dushkin/McGraw-Hill, 1998.
• Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences fellowship Sex differences in sexual motivation: An experimental approach, December 1997. Two-year extension of the grant awarded in December 1994.
• Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences fellowship Sex differences in sexual motivation: An experimental approach, December 1994.

GRANT SUPPORT

• Research grant awarded to E. Dancet, Ph.D.: The ISIS-trial: Internet-based Sex counseling and chances on natural conception in couples with idiopathic subfertility: A randomized clinical trial. Funded by ZonMW (project number 843001605). Co-applicant.
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D., and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: Two-Center, Randomized, Placebo and Active Comparator Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Safety, Along with Initial Pharmacodynamic (PD) Efficacy of Three Dose Levels of TBS-2 Intranasal Gel Applied Twice-Daily (BID) for up to Three Days in Female Subjects with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) or Anorgasmia (ANOR). Funded by Trimel BioPharma, June 2010
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D., and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: A double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized N=1 study to determine the effect of concomitant treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone (50 mg) on sexual desire in 6 women who experience a decrease in sexual desire due to their oral contraception-use. Funded by Pantarhei Bioscience, Zeist, The Netherlands, January 2008
• Research grant awarded to R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D., and E. Laan, Ph.D.: A double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised, comparative 2-way crossover study to determine the effect of concomitant treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone (50 mg) on sexual arousability and the vascular component of the sexual arousal response during self-induced erotic fantasy and visual sexual stimulation in women using oral contraception (150 mcg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinylestradiol or 3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethinylestradiol). Funded by Pantarhei Bioscience, Zeist, The Netherlands, January 2007
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D.: Detecting Sexual Desire in Women: A methodological examination. Funded by Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent, England, November 2006
• Aspasia grant (015.001.099) awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D.: Gender and sexual arousal. Funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, June 2002
• Research grant awarded to R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D., and E. Laan, Ph.D.: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-way crossover study to assess the effect of granisetron (2mg) and paroxetine (2-mg) on ejaculatory latency (EL) in male subjects suffering from premature ejaculation (PE) (study number A9001070). Funded by Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent, England, May 2002
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D. and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: A pilot study to evaluate the usability and reproducibility of the vibrotactile stimulation technique in assessing the time to orgasm as well as measuring sexual arousal response using vaginal photoplethysmography in healthy pre-menopausal females (study number A9001038). Funded by Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent, England, May 2001
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D. and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: The effect of sumanirole 3 mg compared to placebo in females with hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) or female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). An in-office, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, two-way cross-over, single dose trial (study number 666E-URO-0406-004). Funded by Pharmacia & Upjohn, Stockholm, Sweden, May 2000
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D. and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover study to determine the effect of a single dose of sildenafil on the vascular component of the sexual arousal response measured using vaginal photoplethysmography in patients with female sexual arousal disorder (study number 148-380-191). Funded by Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent, England, February 1999
• Research fellowship awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D.: Sex differences in sexual motivation: An experimental approach. Two-year extension of the grant awarded in December 1994. Funded by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, December 1997
• Research grant awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D. and R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D.: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, two way crossover pilot study to investigate the safety, toleration and effects on vaginal blood flow and sexual arousal of a single oral dose of sildenafil (50mg) in healthy female volunteers (study number 148-372-191). Funded by Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent, England, September 1996
• Research grant awarded to R. van Lunsen, MD Ph.D. and E. Laan, Ph.D.: Protocol for a singlecentre, randomized, double blind cross-over study on sexual functioning and the effects of three months of treatment with tibolone (Livial®) in 50 postmenopausal women (study number E-1618). Funded by NV Organon, Oss, April 1996
• Research fellowship awarded to E. Laan, Ph.D.: Sex differences in sexual motivation: An experimental approach. Funded by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, December 1994
• Research grant awarded to W. Everaerd, Ph.D. and E. Laan, M.A.: Seksuele opwinding bij vrouwen: Relatie tussen beleving, fysiologische responsen en gedrag. Funded by Institute for Emotion and Motivation, University of Amsterdam, June 1989

MEMBERSHIPS
Scientific societies

• Dutch EMDR Society (VEN) (associate), 2011 to present
• International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), 2006 to present.
• European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), 2006 to present.
• Nederlands Instituut voor Psychologen (NIP), 2006 to present.
• Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS), 2004 to present.
• International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), 2001 to present.
• Scientific Society for Sexual Dysfunctions (WVSD), formerly Dutch Society for Impotence Research (NVIO), 1997 to present.
• International Academy of Sex Research (IASR), 1995 to present.
• Nederlandse Vereniging voor Seksuologie (NVVS), 1994 to present
• American Psychological Society, 1998-2000.
• Society for Psychophysiological Research, 1995-1999.

Boards

2010-2013 : Officer IASR.

2007-2010 : Member Board of Directors ISSWSH.

2002-2004 : Member Board of Directors ISSWSH.

1995-1999 : Chair of the Research Section NVVS.

1995-1999 : Board member NVVS.

1994-1996 : Board member Faculteit der Psychologie, University of Amsterdam.

Committees
2011 : Member of the Scientific advisory group of RutgersWPF ZonMW funded project ‘Leeflijn seksuele ontwikkeling van -9 maanden tot 99 jaar’.
2010-2011 : Member of the Dutch Guideline committee for the diagnosis and treatment of premature ejaculation (with M. Waldinger, L. Incrocci, R. Kropman, J. van Lankveld, E. Meuleman, Y. Reisman and P. Leusink).
2009-2011 : Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM).
2008-2013 : Advisor to the DSM-5 Working Group on diagnostic criteria for the sexual dysfunctions.
2008-2009 : Member of the committee Women’s sexual desire and arousal disorders as part of the 3rd International Consultation on Sexual Medicine, organized by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases and the International Society of Sexual Medicine, in collaboration with the major medical Associations working in the field of Sexual Medicine.
2007 : Member of the International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Premature Ejaculation Definition Expert Panel.
2007-present: Member of the Standards Committee of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.
2005 : Chair of the jury to award the 2nd Koos Slob-award (2004) for best article published in 2004-2005 in the Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie.
2002-2003 : Member of the Female Sexual Dysfunction Panel to significantly revise the existing nomenclature for diagnosing women’s sexual dysfunction, sponsored by the Americal Federation of Urological Disease.
2002-2003 : Member of the committee Women’s sexual desire and arousal disorders and sexual pain as part of the 2nd International Consultation on Erectile and Sexual Dysfunctions, organized by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases, under co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization, the International Society of Urology, and the International Union Against Cancer.
1998-2000 : Member of the Consensus Panel on Female Sexual Dysfunction, sponsored by the Americal Federation of Urological Disease, 1998-2000.
1997-1998 : Member of the committee Female Genital Sexual Dysfunction as part of the 1st International Consultation on Erectile Dysfunction, organized by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases, under co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization and the International Union Against Cancer.

Editorial Boards

• Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2008 to 2012.
• International Journal of Sexual Health, 2006 to present.
• Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 1997 to present.
• Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1995 to 2007.
• Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie, 1995 to present.
• De Psycholoog, 1999 to 2003.
• Scandinavian Journal of Sexology, 1998-2001.
• Bookreviews Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie, 1995-2002.
• Ad-hoc reviewer for Biological Psychology (1996, 2004); The Journal of Sex Research (1997-2009); Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (1999); Psychophysiology (1999, 2000); The New England Journal of Medicine (2000, 2002); Drugs (2002); Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2004), Nature Clinical Practice Urology (2008).
• Editor (with M. Chatrou and L. Gijs) of ‘Bestudeerde seks’, a special issue on sexuality for De Psycholoog, 37, issue 7/8, 2002.

TV AND RADIO APPEARENCES:

• De Kennis van Nu, August 21, 2015, Radio 5, http://www.npowetenschap.nl/site/artikel/Vrouwenlibido-uit-een-doosje-goedgekeurd-in-VS/7338
• De Kennis van Nu, June 9, 2015, Radio 5, http://www.npowetenschap.nl/programmes/de-kennis-van-nu/Radio-5/2015/Juni/09-06-2015-Bacteri-n-die-kanker-veroorzaken.html
• Tros Nieuwsradio, June 6, 2015, available at http://www.radio1.nl/item/295741-%27Roze-viagra%27.htm
• Seks op recept, Zembla documentary, aired September 11, 2014, available at https://cdeqfm-o5ens3jriql-fm.sec.amc.nl/seizoenen/2014/afleveringen/11-09-2014
• Sletvrees, VPRO documentary Sunny Bergman, aired November 14, 2013, available at https://cdenxw8yjwtedg.sec.amc.nl/pers/titels/3doc.html
• Over de ’lustpil’, November 4, 2013, available at https://cdegbuuhh1nyj-q0g2v3s5zlf.sec.amc.nl/media/303400
• Tros Nieuwsradio, May 2013, available at https://cdeibdgr6t270jqgh7p2of.sec.amc.nl/rss/audiofragments/programme/19.rss
• Klara, VRT, En dat heet dan gelukkig zijn, March 2013, available at https://cde-otcuhjyw19md3nrla64.sec.amc.nl/podcast/Klara/rss-31_dgel.xml
• NOS Headlines – De G-spot zit tussen de oren, January 2010, available at https://cdenxw81izyz2-d2he.sec.amc.nl/watch?v=fxqC5LvWiMQ
• Interview at conference of European Society for Sexual Medicine for Medical Congress com, November 2007, available at https://cdenxw8p9inh1gdz6gn9s9hq44rm.sec.amc.nl/index.php?fuseaction=congressMed_main.ShowArticle&articleID=84246&congresID=3073&day=1&ln=1#
• De prijs van de lust, KRO Reporter, September 2007, available at https://cdeifpmunjweamszgd.sec.amc.nl/uitzendingen/2007/0930_lust/intro.aspx
• The inner adventure: From the baby to the kiss/Du baiser au bébé, Mona Lisa productions, Arte, 2005, https://cdenxw8pisfq9nez3hrge42mg.sec.amc.nl/vi/index.htm
• Klitoris, die schöne Unbekannte/Le clitoris, ce cher inconnu, Arte, January 2004, https://cdenxw8ffnythdwz38idn42mg.sec.amc.nl/intervenants.html, https://cdenxw8sltlw1hq432tna7dk.sec.amc.nl/television/16352332/Le-clitoris-ce-cher-inconnu.html
• Sexual Chemistry, BBC-Horizon documentary, February 2002, https://cdenxw8e6hehe5y-.sec.amc.nl/science/horizon/2003/sexchem.shtml
• The Truth about Lesbian Sex (Optomen), Channel 4 documentary, April 2002.
• Sexual Chemistry, BBC-Horizon documentary, September 1998.
• The Anatomy of Desire (Optomen), Channel 4 documentary series, Autumn 1998.
• Seks en Wetenschap, VARA/NOS science documentary series, Spring 1993.
• Noorderlicht, VPRO science program, January 1992.

 

Prof. PhD E.T.M. Laan (Biopsychosocial determinants of sexual health)

In our research group, we focus on the following lines of research:

i. Central and peripheral mechanisms associated with the activation of sexual response. We contribute to unraveling the interaction between psychological and physiological determinants of sexual response, using physiological and questionnaire measures, fMRI, and implicit tasks.
ii. Effects of physical factors (chronic disease; nerve damage; pelvic surgery, i.e. conventional vaginal surgery, mesh implants, genital plastic surgery such as labioplasty) and psychosexual factors on genital response and sexual functioning.
iii. Etiological and maintaining factors (bio-psycho-social) of the major sexual dysfunctions (arousal, desire, pain) and possible beneficial agents (neurotransmitters, hormones, including hormonal contraceptives).

Faculty
MD PhD H.W. van Lunsen

Postdocs
PhD P. Pascoal

PhD Students
P. Leusink
H. Pastoor

• I. Kelder
• M.A. Werner

• AMC