Medical Equipment

Catheters

  • Intermittent catheritzation would typically not interfere with sexual activity but may require additional planning.
  • Indwelling catheters (Chapple, Prinjha, & Salisbury, 2014)
    • Male
      • Leave space on the catheter to allow for growth during erection
      • Lay catheter against shaft of penis. Secure in place using medical tape or a condom.
    • Female
      • Tape tubing along abdomen
  • Suprapubic catheters
    • Allows for easier access to genital areas for sexual activity
    • May cause pain due to adhesions from surgical incision
    • Potential for bleeding due to catheter rubbing on bladder wall. This side effect should be discussed with physican.

Ostomy Bags

  • Gas and odor (United Ostomy Associations of America, 2018)
    • Use of dietary supplements and over-the-counter medications to reduce gas
    • Gas filters to attach to colostomy or ileostomy
    • Avoiding foods that cause gas or strong urine odor if client is planning to be sexually active
    • Special deoderizers that can be placed in the pouch. Discuss this option with physician first.
  • Use of lubricants to compensate for vaginal dryness
  • Avoid positions that put weight on the ostomy
  • If concerned about exposing ostomy bag, use of undergarments with openings or cut-outs, such as boxer shorts or crotch-less underwear.
  • Potential for erectile dysfunction and vaginal dryness after surgery, which are topics that can be discussed with a physician.
  • Empty ostomy prior to intercourse (Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, 2016)
  • Tape pouch down to abdomen or keep covered by clothing to avoid pulling
  • Anal sex should be avoided after colostomy unless cleared by physician (National Health Service, 2017)

References

Canadian Society of Intestinal Research. (2016, November 30). Sex and a stoma. Retrieved from https://badgut.org/information-centre/ostomies/sex-and-a-stoma/

Chapple, A., Prinjha, S., & Salisbury, H. (2014). How users of indwelling urinary catheters talk about sex and sexuality: A qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 64(623), 364-371. doi: 10.3399/bjgp14X680149

National Health Service. (2017, September 18). Living with colostomy. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colostomy/living-with/

United Ostomy Associations of America. (2018). Intimacy after ostomy surgery. Retrieved from https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Intimacy-After-Ostomy-Surgery-Guide.pdf