Dr Elna McIntosh, a leading South African clinical sexologist, activist and media figure, is remembered for her decades-long role in breaking taboos around sexual health and expanding access to sexual medicine.
This week, my industry lost a giant. Dr Elna McIntosh was one of South Africa’s most prominent and respected clinical sexologists, sexual health activists, and media personalities. Over a career spanning more than three decades, she played a foundational role in de-stigmatising sexual health and improving clinical access to sexual medicine across the country.
When I first entered the sexual health industry with Lola Montez, she guided me. She gave me my first television and radio interviews. At the time, she was a host with Mark Pilgrim on the TV series Sex etc. For years after that, she remained a constant presence in our work – a guest speaker at Lola Montez Ladies Nights and a familiar voice at Sexpo. Elna could always be counted on for a laugh, especially in moments when it felt as if the world was pushing back against what we were trying to achieve.
Prof McIntosh was best known as the founder and director of the Disa Clinic (Disa Health Care), a specialised sexual and reproductive health centre based in Sandton, Johannesburg. Her clinical work focused on sexual dysfunctions, relationship engineering, erectile dysfunction, low libido, pain during intercourse and reproductive health management. It was through her that I first learned about vaginismus and how to treat it.
