PD46-09 “DON’T IGNORE WHAT YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU”: OPTIMIZING SEXUAL SATISFACTION FOR WOMEN WITH SPINA BIFIDA

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyTrauma/Reconstruction/Diversion: External Genitalia Reconstruction and Urotrauma (including transgender surgery) II (PD46)1 Apr 2020PD46-09 “DON’T IGNORE WHAT YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU”: OPTIMIZING SEXUAL SATISFACTION FOR WOMEN WITH SPINA BIFIDA Courtney Streur*, Christine Schafer, and Daniela Wittmann Courtney Streur*Courtney Streur* More articles by this author , Christine SchaferChristine Schafer More articles by this author , and Daniela WittmannDaniela Wittmann More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000000933.09AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Women with spina bifida are sexually active, but report a high rate of sexual dysfunction. Little is known about the challenges they face or how to improve their sexual experiences. The goal of this study is to identify, through the words of patients, causes of sexual dysfunction and recommendations for strategies to optimize partnered sexual encounters for women with spina bifida. METHODS: Twenty-five women with spina bifida (mean age 27.1 years, range 16-52), without an intellectual disability, participated in this qualitative study. During individual interviews, women were asked to describe issues they have experienced during sexual intimacy and strategies they have learned to improve encounters. Using Grounded Theory, interviews were independently coded by 3 reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: The following themes, describing the women’s sexual experiences, factors in diminished satisfaction and advice to other women with spina bifida, emerged from the interviews: 1) fear of rejection with resulting difficulty setting boundaries and risk of coercion, 2) conflict about spontaneity vs self-care in sexual encounters, 3) concern about incontinence during sex, 4) trial and error in learning optimal sexual positions, 5) decreased genital sensation, 6) safety considerations and 7) advice women wished to share with other women with spina bifida. CONCLUSIONS: While women with spina bifida encounter unique challenges during sexual encounters, strategies focused on improving communication with the partner and addressing specific physical considerations can optimize their sexual experiences. Providers should routinely address sexual concerns and be familiar with these strategies to improve the sexual satisfaction of women with spina bifida. Source of Funding: Society of Women in Urology's Elisabeth Pickett Research AwardK12 training grant from the NIDDK © 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 203Issue Supplement 4April 2020Page: e922-e923 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2020 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Courtney Streur* More articles by this author Christine Schafer More articles by this author Daniela Wittmann More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...