Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Women: Impact on Relationship and Sexual Health

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has an impact on the quality of life of women regarding partner relationships and sexual health. Partner relationship and sexual health in women with IBD has been targeted minimally for investigation in the literature devoted to psychological, relationship, and sexual functioning. The purpose of the present article is to describe the concerns of women with IBD, specifically evaluating individual concerns, partner relationships, and sexual functioning after surgery and to elucidate some of the difficulties in identifying such problems. Gynecologic issues and pregnancy concerns are described. Actual case studies are presented that reveal many of the difficulties women with IBD encounter in their relationships as a consequence of disease activity and treatment interventions. Additional research evaluating relationship difficulties, sexual comfort, and sexual behaviors as a consequence of disease activity is required to understand further and improve the quality of life and well-being of these women.

Untitled

“…Trachter et al [42] present a general description of concerns of women with inflammatory bowel disease and how this impacts on their quality of life, with particular reference to partner relationships and sexual health. They include case studies as a way of revealing some of these concerns, and, in order to improve the quality of life and well-being of these women, they call for additional research to evaluate their relationship difficulties, sexual comfort, and sexual behaviours.…”

Contraceptive Choices for Women with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…70 Sexuality is not routinely discussed in a clinical environment and health professionals and patients may be wary of raising these issues. Chronic fatigue, frequent defaecation, loss of bowel control, perianal disease and dyspareunia may all lead to psychological morbidity.…”

Getting Personal

“…31–33 Recent reviews have described the psychosexual impact of IBD among women 34 and men, 35 though associations between these areas and quality of life remain unclear. Given that reduced quality of life is commonly reported among IBD patients and improvement in quality of life is one of the primary therapeutic goals for these patients, a better understanding of the role of sexual functioning and body image in quality of life for patients with IBD is needed.…”