Andro-Sexuologist'S Role in the Sexual Rehabilitation of Patients after Pelvic Surgery

Abstract

Cancer patients are special patients: time is the most important factor of their life. The choice of the appropriate moment to talk about their sexuality represents a fundamental step, which cannot coincide with talking about cancer. For the patient and his family cancer means anguish and death; sex needs relaxation and joy (life). Patient self-filled questionnaires are important and useful tools for physicians but not for patients; interviews with patients and their partners cannot be replaced by questionnaires that do not take into account a patient's cultural background and feelings of the moment. Answers can be sincere but untrue. It could be better to interview both partners before performing biopsy; later on the physician alone could fill in a simple form including the partner's opinions. Partners are normally involved in all interviews from the beginning, as well as in the choice of treatment drugs; they undergo a full immersion in a behavioural or dynamic rehabilitation of the couple. Therapy timing plays an essential role; the couple should be as relaxed as possible. Stomized patients need special caring by the whole therapeutic team. We studied behavioural changes and differences among patients treated between 1999 and 2004 in our clinic. We then propose some tips for a good sexual rehabilitation, which respects the couple sexuality helping to rediscover joy of love.