Few human behaviors are governed more profoundly by the complex pathway of rules, thoughts, and ways of life—what we call culture—than sexuality, rendering the “science of sex” a matter particularly engaging but also immensely complicated. What is a symptom or a disease in one culture may be considered normal in another; what is largely accepted in one society is forbidden in another; what is assumed as universal (within the Western paradigm) is discovered to be local and transient. For such reasons, a transcultural perspective—although largely neglected in sexual healthcare—is an indispensable tool for understanding human sexuality. We thus invite you to take a compelling journey into a realm of sexuality that has been under-discussed, under-researched, and often invisible to the practitioner, or even to experts in sexual medicine or sexual psychology. This journey will transport you not only around the world but deep into aspects of various cultures and subcultures. You will find it, as we have, highly educational and both inspiring and disheartening at the same time.

We view this volume as an initial attempt to provoke greater sensitivity to and discussion of cross-cultural issues within sexual healthcare, this book representing a meager though important step in a very daunting process. We are proud of the variety of topics and perspectives offered in the various chapters, of the authors who accepted our often vague challenge to bring their cultural perspectives to the fore of sexual medicine and healthcare, and of the overall tone of cultural humility and sensitivity without sacrificing principles of good practice. Various chapters will sometimes impart a sense of urgency and even desperation, though always mixed with at least a glimmer of hope—that as a community of scholars and practitioners, we have an important role to play, that we can make meaningful differences in the lives and experiences of people suffering from sexual disorders and oppression, that we can advocate on their behalf, and that we can help change policies that stigmatize and do damage.