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Review
. 2017 Jul;30(3):201-206.
doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1598161. Epub 2017 May 22.

Sexual Dysfunction and Intimacy for Ostomates

Jeffrey A Albaugh  1 , Sandi Tenfelde  2 , Dana M Hayden  3
Affiliations
Review

Sexual Dysfunction and Intimacy for Ostomates

Jeffrey A Albaugh et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Sex and intimacy presents special challenges for the ostomate. Since some colorectal surgery patients will require either temporary or permanent stomas, intimacy and sexuality is a common issue for ostomates. In addition to the stoma, nerve damage, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are often used in conjunction with stoma creation for cancer patients, thereby adding physiological dysfunction to the personal psychological impact of the stoma, leading to sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this paper is to describe the prevalence, etiology, and the most common types of sexual dysfunction in men and women after colorectal surgery and particularly those patients with stomas. In addition, treatment strategies for sexual dysfunction will also be described.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; sexual dysfunction; sexual health.

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