Is there any way of obtaining Psychosexual Therapy... - Tenovus

Tenovus

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Is there any way of obtaining Psychosexual Therapy & relationship councelling on the NHS after an APER that has left you impotent.?

imadie profile image
2 Replies

An APER is the excission of rectum leaving you with a colostomy due lower rectal cancer.

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imadie
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Jo_O profile image
Jo_O

Hi there are sexual counsellors available through the nhs but unfortunately services are varied in different areas. These therapists are qualified counsellors or healthcare professionals who have done extra training in helping people with difficulties related to sex. A referral can be made through your GP, however if the problem has a physical cause the GP may feel ifs more relevant to refer you elsewhere. If you would like to discuss this in more detail please call our Freephone Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 1010

Thanks

Jo

imadie profile image
imadie in reply to Jo_O

Thank you Jo , This unfortunately seems like the case that my GP & the NHS PCT(Primary care Trust) does not recognise the fact that after colorectal cancer removal via aper. The patient has an extremely high chance of being left impotent but is of no consequence to them as they do not get funding for providing sexual therapy. The patient is therefore not only expected to come to terms with losing their rectum and living with a colostomy for the rest of their lives but also the patient is expected to come to terms with not been able to make love to their partner ever again. As a consequence they have no idea what effect this has on a relationship not to mention the psychological pain this causes!

Could you please expand on "however if the problem has a physical cause the GP may feel it is more relevant to refer you elsewhere"

Could I assume that this means referring the patient for penile injections or penile implants? As yes this has been suggested but from this males beliefs this is never going to happen no matter how much I love my wife after 25+ years of marriage.( It's probably a male psychological thing)

Regards Ian