Social Representations about the sexuality of stomized patients:seeking to know more about the subject in order to transform it

A stoma affects various aspects of a person’s life, including sexuality, as well as that of his or her partner. The theme of sexuality encompasses innumerable aspects of human physicality and subjectivity and involves perceptions and meanings. To find out the social representations (SR) on the sexuality of people with permanent intestinal stoma and to identify factors that enhance and/or hamper their lives were the objectives of this study, using the Social Representation Theory (SR) as a theoretical-methodological reference. This study is based on the analysis of the material obtained through open interviews carried out with 15 people who have had permanent intestinal stomas for a year or more registered at the Paraiba Valley Association for the Stomized in Taubaté-SP. The analysis of data allowed for three thematic units: THE MEANING OF SEXUALITY FOR A STOMIZED PERSON, THE EXPERIENCE OF SEXUALITY BEFORE THE STOMA, and GIVING NEW MEANING TO SEXUALITY. This study demonstrated that the intestinal stoma interferes with the dynamics of the sexual experience, revealing that the meanings attributed to it are anchored in individual life stories, in the quality of the personal/conjugal relationships that are established through practice, and in the perception of sexuality despite the stoma. On the other hand, it showed that physical and psychological preparations are necessary for sexuality to be reincorporated as a routine practice. Simple and practical solutions  were adopted by the stomized, facilitating the moment of intimacy, making it closer to what the partners experienced before the existence of the stoma. The recommendation of the self-irrigation technique associated or not to the use of the artificial sphincter, has been attested to by its users as a positive element that makes a difference in the sexual practice after the stoma.  These strategies may be incorporated into the health practice of the professional who assists stoma patients, through clear and objective guidance, which can facilitate the resumption of an important aspect of life, and minimize worries, fears, anxieties, and suffering. The sexuality of the stomized person is determined by multiple factors which, interconnected, influence and sometimes define the path that this person will take. Among them are: the capacity of comprehending reality and of overcoming personal blockages and beliefs; personal, economical, and social values; the quality of the conjugal relationship, and the access to information, products, and qualified health services.