Canadian pelvic floor specialists had a strong and highly visible presence at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) in Rio de Janeiro, contributing to scientific sessions, international guidelines, surgical education, and cutting-edge research.
Canadian faculty were prominently involved in the development and presentation of the Global Consensus Guidelines on Uterine Preservation in Pelvic Organ Prolapse (UPOP). Dr. Shunaha Kim-Fine (Calgary, AB) presented work on sexual function outcomes, while Dr. Erin Brennand (Calgary, AB) led the hysterectomy versus uterine preservation section and delivered a surgical masterclass on uterine-preserving surgery. Drs. Roxana Geoffrion, Geoffrey Cundiff, and Maryse Larouche (Vancouver, BC) also made substantial contributions to the guideline development process.
Dr. Linda McLean (Ottawa, ON) taught a workshop on pelvic floor assessment in the female athlete, delivered an invited lecture on persistent endometriosis-associated pain, and served as senior author on three abstracts. One of these, presented by MSc candidate Grace Collins, received the conference's Best Innovation Abstract Award.
Dr. Maria Giroux (Regina, SK) presented the Canadian guideline on long-term management following obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and contributed to several additional research projects. Dr. Cathy Flood (Edmonton, AB) presented on lower urinary tract symptoms following gender-affirming surgery, while Dr. May Sanaee (Edmonton, AB) delivered a session on clitoral anatomy and surgery and shared preliminary Canadian survey data on provider knowledge and attitudes regarding clitoral health.
Dr. Aisling Clancy (Ottawa, ON) was senior author on three abstracts and presented additional collaborative work, and Dr. Rea Konci (Ottawa, ON), the only Canadian fellow attending, presented research comparing complications of vNOTES and vaginal hysterectomy. Stephen Magliocchetti (London, ON), a PhD candidate, presented novel work mapping autonomic pelvic nerve distributions to support nerve-sparing urogynecologic surgery.
In addition, Dr. May Alarab (Toronto, ON) was recognized by the IUGA Board for four years of service as Chair of the Research, Development and Innovation Committee and was acknowledged for her leadership in OASIS-related scholarship.
Importantly, these accomplishments reflect the efforts of many collaborators, trainees, and research teams across Canada whose contributions made this work possible, even if they were unable to attend the meeting in person. The conference also provided opportunities to build new connections, including welcoming Dr. Gbenga Oluyede of Nanaimo, BC, to the Canadian urogynecology community.
Overall, Canadians were exceptionally well represented in Rio, highlighting Canada's growing leadership and influence within IUGA. Members are already looking forward to reconvening at the joint IUGA–AUGS meeting in Boston in October 2027.
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