E10: Samantha Evans - Sexual care for patients

Rad Chat

Episode • Oct 3, 2021 • 35m

**Trigger Warning**

Discussion around sexual care for patients.

Naman Julka-Anderson catches up with Samantha Evans as part of the Education and Workforce Development series (Part 1).

Reflective points and tips:

1) Do not assume your patient isn't interested in enjoying sex because they're older, have cancer, single or have a disability.

2) Do not assume the sexual orientation of your patient.

3) Open the conversation by explaining how treatment may impact upon sexual health, intimacy and pleasure including vaginal tightness, dryness, painful sex, decreased sexual sensation, erectile issues, loss of confidence and low libido and reassure your patients that there is plenty of practical help, advice and products to help them regain their sexual function. ( see below).

4) Learn about what practical help is available including sexual lubricants, moisturisers, skin safe sex toys, and dilators and other products as well as pelvic health physiotherapy and psychosexual therapy.

5) Educate yourself about why ingredients matter in sexual lubricants and vaginal moisturisers and the importance of using skin safe dilators and sex toys.

6) Think beyond PIV sex, many people enjoy great sex beyond penetration, so educate yourself about the many ways people enjoy sexual intimacy and pleasure, including sex toys, lubricants, vaginal moisturisers and other products that can help them regain their sexual function, reclaim their sex life and make it fun. If you are unsure about what to say or recommend, signpost your patients to Jo Divine for more advice.

Then complete this form for your accredited digital badge: https://bit.ly/3GbtR1X.

Links from podcast:

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/perspectives/breast-cancer-and-confidence

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/enjoying-sex-after-womb-cancer

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/sex-and-breast-cancer

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/enjoying-sex-after-cervical-cancer

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/when-sex-is-silent-living-with-cancer

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/enjoying-sex-after-vulval-cancer

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sex-tips/prostate-cancer-surgery-can-affect-sex-for-both-partners

https://www.jodivine.com/blogs/sexual-health/getting-back-into-sex-after-womb-cancer-aged-24

https://cics.thinkific.com/courses/sex-toys-and-sex-therapy

Link to journal article around ingredients in lubricant: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/13697137.2015.1124259