Introduction: Two common questions of those undergoing life altering surgery such as stoma surgery are whether there is a return to normal sexual activities, and if yes, how soon will this happen?  Secondary to this is the fear of whether an intimate partner will find them sexually attractive, and whether relationships will end because of stoma issues.

Methods: Two methods of assessment were used.  The first was a quantitative Ostomy Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment, in which 234 ostomates, from 1507, were selected on the basis of being less than 24 months post surgery, and second, a qualitative response from a panel of 108 ostomates geographically dispersed throughout North America. 

Results: A timeline for return to sexual activity was established based on the response to the question “how long after your surgery did you wait before becoming sexually active?”  Approximately 64 percent of ostomates reported a return to sexual activity within three months (less than one month; 22.2 %, 1-2 months; 29.6%, and 2 to 3 months 12.0 %).   At six months, 73 percent had returned to sexual activity.  However, the return to sexual activity does not imply all is well.  The Comprehensive Health and Life Assessment indicates that 50 percent report dissatisfaction with their sexual life within this six month period.  This may be a temporary dissatisfaction for many as the data indicates that dissatisfaction decreases as time from surgery increases. 

Anecdotally, seven percent of ostomates report an intimate relationship ending because of their stoma.

Discussion: The study suggests that health care professionals, when counseling new ostomates on the return to post-surgical sexual activity, inform them that while this is not a delayed activity, it is not necessarily an immediate satisfying experience for all. 

Disclosure: Funding from Hollister Incorporated is gratefully acknowledged.