title: The Impact of an Ostomy on the Sexual Lives of Persons With Stomas: A Phenomenological Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of persons with stomas related to sexual function and perceptions and their expectations of the ostomy nurses who care for them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative, phenomenological study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen persons living with an ostomy for least 2 months participated in the study. Data collection occurred at the ostomy and wound care unit at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital in Izmir, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using an in-depth interview method. Interviews lasted from 20 to 60 minutes and were audiotaped. These recordings were transcribed and subjected to content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes emerged from the unstructured interviews: (1) changes in sexual life; (2) changes in body image; (3) fear and anxiety experienced during sexual intercourse; (4) psychological impact of sexual problems; and (5) expectations concerning sexual counseling from ostomy nurses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study findings suggest that persons with ostomies experience changes in their body image, along with a decrease in sexual desire. Respondents described avoiding sexual intercourse, and abstained from sleeping with their partners. Male respondents described erectile dysfunction, and female respondents reported pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). Participants stated that they did not feel adequately informed about these problems and desired to receive more information and support from ostomy nurses regarding sexual issues. Based on these findings, we recommend that ostomy nurses provide more counseling concerning sexual function and challenges following ostomy surgery.
authors.affiliation: Fatma Vural, PhD, RN, Surgical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey Deniz Harputlu, PhD, RN, WOC Nurse, Department of Nursing, Health Science Faculty, Izmir Economy University, Izmir, Turkey. Ozgul Karayurt, PhD, RN, Surgical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. Gulseren Suler, RN, WOC Nurse, Department of Urology, Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. Aylin Durmaz Edeer, PhD, RN, Surgical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey. Ceylanim Ucer, MSc, RN, WOC Nurse, Stomatherapy Unit, Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. Deniz Cenan Onay, RN, WOC Nurse, Stomatherapy Unit, Dokuz Eylul University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vural
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harputlu
authors.forename: Ozgul
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Karayurt
authors.forename: Gulseren
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Suler
authors.forename: Aylin Durmaz
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Edeer
authors.forename: Ceylanim
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ucer
authors.forename: Deniz Cenan
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Onay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072184:Nurse Specialists / Q000592:standards; D010030:Ostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014421:Turkey