title: Exploring gay couples' experience with sexual dysfunction after radical prostatectomy: a qualitative study.
abstract: This exploratory study examines the experience of three gay couples managing sexual dysfunction as a result of undergoing a radical prostatectomy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of a larger study at an urban hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Interview transcripts were transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The authors clustered 18 subordinate themes under 3 superordinate themes: (a) acknowledging change in sexual experience (libido, erectile function, sexual activity, orgasmic function); (b) accommodating change in sexual experience (strategies: emphasizing intimacy, embracing plan B, focus on the other; barriers: side-effect concerns, loss of naturalness, communication breakdown, failure to initiate, trial and failure, partner confounds); and (c) accepting change in sexual experience (indicators: emphasizing health, age attributions, finding a new normal; barriers: uncertain outcomes, treatment regrets). Although gay couples and heterosexual couples share many similar challenges, we discovered that gay men have particular sexual roles and can engage in novel accommodation practices, such as open relationships, that have not been noted in heterosexual couples. All couples, regardless of their level of sexual functioning, highlighted the need for more extensive programming related to sexual rehabilitation. Equitable rehabilitative support is critical to assist homosexual couples manage distress associated with prostatectomy-related sexual dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Mary-Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irvine
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ritvo
authors.forename: Lianne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trachtenberg
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trachtenberg
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jamnicky
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Matthew
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005783:Gender Identity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm; D015917:Penile Prosthesis / Q000523:psychology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D011687:Purines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate