Sex- and gender-specific medicine (SGSM) is a young field that managed to recently establish itself all over the world. Though mostly called gender medicine it actually investigates sex specific differences of the two most prominent sexes: male and female. There are also aspects of the gender identity that impact the interaction of doctors and patients, as well as coping strategies, treatment suggestions and side effects of medication The following aspects will be presented in this talk: Where does this area of research come from? What does it actually do? Why is it important for women and men? And when is it appropriate to talk about sex and when to talk about gender?