Sexual health following stoma surgery

Sexuality is a term used across a wide range of sexual-health dimensions, which often leads to confusion. In recent years, frameworks have been developed that clearly outline the various dimensions of sexual health and allow nurses to focus their assessment and care-planning efforts on specific elements of self-concept, sexual functioning and sexual relationships. The provision of care in this area is more difficult when individual confidence about sexual-health issues is low and/or knowledge on important dimensions is patchy. In this paper, Craig White discusses how the provision of a comprehensive assessment of all dimensions and specific advice on the practical, emotional and sexual impact of surgery is likely to become an essential part of the follow-up care for people after stoma surgery.