Nursing actions concerning sexual problems with special reference to sexuality
Shima, N.
Josanpu Zasshi 39(5): 387-391
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1836 PMID: 3854637 Document Number: 425109
A nurse in the maternity ward of a hospital helped a pregnant diabetic overcome her sexual problem. The 28-year-old woman has been diabetic for the past 9 years and has learned to monitor and control her blood sugar level. She has been married for 5 years and just gave a birth to her 2nd child. She also requested and underwent Madlener tubal sterilization to avoid future pregnancy. It was during her recent hospital stay for childbirth that she finally confided her sexual problem with the nurse in the maternity ward. She complained of a pain at the vaginal opening in copulation and attributed it to her diabetic condition. After counseling the patient and her husband separately, the nurse concluded that this was a psychosomatic condition due to many factors. Both the patient's husband and mother-in-law who lived with them were extremely secretive about their complicated family history. Consequently their home environment lacked peace, harmony, understanding, and mutual trust needed to nurture their marital relationship. In addition, the diabetic condition made the patient fearful of pregnancy and she was never relaxed at the time of sex. Because of her pain, frequency of sex was reduced to once a month. The pain was located at labia minora. Ejaculation took place only at the vaginal opening. The nurse suggested the following for solution: The couple should try to be more open and communicative toward each other. They should rebuild a relationship based on understanding and trust and have more understanding of and a positive attitude about human sexuality. The patient should use some lubricant to reduce pain.