PHYSICIANS INADEQUATELY ADDRESS SEXUALITY AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONING IN WOMEN WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Abstract

Purpose: Women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently express a desire to obtain information about the impact of IBD upon sexuality and sexual functioning. However, there is limited data addressing these issues. This study evaluated the frequency at which physicians discussed issues related to inflammatory bowel disease and sexuality/sexual functioning with women. Methods: All women with inflammatory bowel disease attending an educational seminar were asked to anonymously complete a survey. The survey inquired about the physicians from whom they received medical care and whether their physicians discussed issues related to sexuality and sexual functioning. Information was also obtained about the women's age and race/ethnicity. A database with the exclusion of any identifying factors was developed. Statistical analysis was performed using Fischer's exact test. Results: Sixty-four women attending a patient education seminar completed the survey. All of the women reported that they received medical care from a primary care provider, gastroenterologist and obstetrician/gynecologist. All of the women expressed a desire to obtain information about inflammatory bowel disease and it's potential impact upon sexuality and sexual functioning. Twelve (18.8%) women reported that a gastroenterologist had discussions about sexuality and sexual functioning. Gastroenterologists more frequently addressed these issues compared to a primary care provider (0%, p = 0.0002) or obstetrician/gynecologist (0%, p = 0.0002). In the patients who had discussions with their gastroenterologists, all of them reported that they (rather than the physician) initiated the discussion. The patient's age and race/ethnicity (p = 0.2758) did not influence whether discussions occurred. Conclusions: Sexuality and sexual functioning are important issues for women with inflammatory bowel disease. Physicians infrequently had discussions about these issues. However, women with inflammatory bowel disease reported that gastroenterologists more frequently addressed issues of sexuality and sexual functioning in IBD compared to primary care physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists. Nevertheless, patients who had these issues addressed by their gastroenterologists noted that they had to initiate the discussion. Increased attention to issues related to sexuality and sexual functioning by physicians is desired by women with inflammatory bowel disease.