Why in 2008 is it still hard for a diabetic man to get help with a sexual difficulty
Case Study - Sexual Difficulties Today
Joseph, aged 57 years old left the clinic feeling frustrated. Mary, his wife had told him that she was sure that he could ask at the Diabetic clinic for help with his sexual difficulty. Today, however, he had tried to raise the subject twice. The first time he had been ignored and the second time he had been met with a sharp retort of 'don't try going into those areas, concentrate on getting your health improved'. Did this mean, he mused, that there is no help available or is his concern not seen as important?
Joseph had struggled with erectile problems for four years now and he had tried to cope as best he could with a penis that seemed to be unco-operative and unreliable. His interest in sexual contact was still there but usually within a few minutes of achieving an erection, it had gone again without ejaculation.
This distressing condition is called 'Veno Occlusive Disorder' and is a type of erection problem that is relatively common in men. They can obtain an erection using their arterial system but are liable to loose it quickly as the venous system cannot maintain it, i.e.’ venous leakage'.
This problem, as with most erection difficulties, is now relatively easy to treat once it is diagnosed. It is also vital to assess quickly when it occurs as it is often one of the first signs of other vascular disease in the body.
Why was it so difficult for Joseph to get help?
This difficulty is not caused by a lack of treatment options. There are now good, effective oral medication treatments in the form of PDE5 tablets like Viagra or Levitra, and other non-medication options like vacuum pumps which are available on prescription through your GP or nurse prescriber. When these are used with a special (non-constriction) ring, then the venous leakage is effectively prevented.
The real barrier is that the health professionals can be embarrassed talking about sex and may not have enough knowledge of how to diagnose and treat these difficulties.
To improve nurses’ and other health professionals’ understanding a short, RCN validated, distance learning course with effective and adequate assessment procedures, is available on a CD Rom and backed up by a short taster and a three hour validation session.
This free 'National Education in Erectile Dysfunction' (or NEED) package is widely available for staff. It has been completed now by over one hundred and fifty health professionals and is proving a popular and valuable self-help training tool.
But what about Josephine?
In considering Joseph's situation health professionals must not forget that women are probably more likely to experience sexual difficulties, often with the same link to vascular disease. They may even be more complex as women often experience combination problems and may have waited longer to seek help.
Treatment options do exist for women, for example the new EROS vacuum pump, like the vacuum pump for men, but for women only. Health staff are even less likely to be aware of these treatment options but training is now available in these areas as well.
________________________________________________________________________
For further information on this article, all references and NEEDs training information please contact:
Ruth Hallam-Jones ruth.hallam-jones@virgin.net
10 Hazelbarrow Drive Sheffield S8 8AS or 01142374377 07884052637
Vacuum Pump for men Medi Plus www.mediplus.co.uk
Eros Therapy Device www.eros-therapy.co.uk
Constriction rings www.maryclegg.com
|