A specialist nurse has led the creation of new guidance on sexual intimacy for people with stomas.
Kyle Waring, a stoma care nurse specialist based at the Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership Stoma Service, developed the guidelines after he noted a gap in the care being provided for his patient group.
“Sexual function and intimacy may change with a stoma, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t possible”
Kyle Waring
The guidance is published online and given directly to patients with a stoma – an artificial opening in the abdomen leading to an ostomy bag, following major surgery to the bowel, bladder or small intestine.
The surgery, or the stoma itself, can impede sexual acts, in particular penetrative sex. Some stoma patients also experience negative body image because of their stoma.
Mr Waring’s newly-published guidance gives advice for patients to help them deal with these challenges and changes.
He developed the guidance, alongside other members of the Central Cheshire stoma team, after he noticed a gap in the information given to stoma patients regarding intimacy and sex – in particular for LGBTQ+ people.
Mr Waring said he felt “compelled” to address this gap.
“Sexual function and intimacy may change with a stoma, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t possible,” Mr Waring said.
“I was shocked to discover there was little formal guidance available to support LGBTQIA+ community patients, and limited advice for heterosexual individuals, in the UK or beyond.
“A key part of my role as a stoma nurse is to understand our patients’ needs and help them maintain a good quality of life post-surgery.”
The package of resources includes specific versions of the guidance for heterosexual and LGBTQ+ people.
The team is currently developing further guidance for transgender people and invites input from this patient group for co-creation.
Kyle Waring holding the guides on intimacy for stoma patients
Some other organisations, such as stoma bag manufacturer Salts Healthcare, have already adopted Central Cheshire’s new guidance on their own websites.
Mr Waring added: “All of the patient information has been co-created with individuals who represent different sexual orientations.
“This approach ensures that we’re capturing real-life questions and concerns alongside clinical guidance from our stoma team.
“Our goal is to provide comprehensive, inclusive resources for all stoma patients, wherever they live.”
