Self-Reported Failure to Address Sexual Function in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease by Gastroenterologists: Barriers and Areas for Improvement.

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and occurs in up to half of women and one-quarter of men.1 Addressing issues of sexual dysfunction is necessary to improve quality of life and functioning.2,3 Chronic pain4 and persistent fatigue,5 both quite common in patients with IBD, adversely affect sexual desire and arousal. Arthralgias and arthritis may also result in limited mobility and reduced sexual pleasure. Body image concerns may arise from diarrhea, incontinence, perianal complications, draining fistulae, skin tags, scars, and the presence of an ostomy all may increase embarrassment and decrease confidence and therefore impair sexual function.1 Importantly, psychiatric disorders are associated with sexual dysfunction and must be addressed, given the prevalence of depression and anxiety in IBD.1 Patients with IBD value sexual health highly but describe a lack of conversation with their treating physicians.6 Despite this discrepancy in...