Sexual dysfunction in ostomized patients: A systematized review

Abstract

The impact of an ostomy has a negative influence on sexuality. Healthcare professionals focus the care on surgery, and consider the sexual life is little relevant to the patient recovery. The aim of this systematized review is to give visibility to the sexual problems that ostomy patients have, to know what kind of sexual dysfunction occurs in this patients, to give information to the nursing staff about sexual disturbances and to recommend some resources to restart sexual activity. The research was conducted following de PRISMA guidelines and performed in several databases. Twelve papers were used to perform the systematized review. After ostomy, sexual dysfunction is different in men and women. It is related by the psychological aspects (low self-esteem, body image deterioration, etc.), the physical aspects (type of resection, complications, etc.) and the acceptance by the partner. A personalized sexual education focused on sexual problems that appear in ostomy patients is necessary to implement. In this way, adequate support, information and resources before and after surgery could be given for both, patients and their partners.