[Sexual dysfunction after colostomy].

BACKGROUND

Sexual disturbances after colostomy are various. However, they probably remain underestimated in societies where sexuality is still a taboo issue. THE AIM of this prospective study was to evaluate the possible sexual behaviour and the post operative sexual disturbances in patients whome underwent colostomy.

METHODS

The group was devided in 10 male and 11 female patients. Seventeen patients (81%) were married, 3 widowed and 1 unmaried.

RESULTS

Sexual disturbances were found in 47% of patients. There was a lack of interest in sexual relations in 2 women, a resolved premature ejaculation in one case, post operative dysparenia in 2 female patients, a retrograde ejaculation in a 60-year-old man, impotence in a 46 years old patient, and a premature ejaculation in a 36-year-old man. The frequency of sexual disturbances (47%) in our series was close to that reported in the literature (50%).

CONCLUSION

The sexual disorders are more common in male patients, the most frequent being ejaculatory dysfunction. In women, dyspareunia is the most common disorder. The particular case of colostomy in homosexuals remains a current issue.