This comprehensive book offers an in-depth look at sexual functioning with disability and chronic illness. The basics are covered: taking a sexual history, the sexual response cycle, and how sexual functioning changes with age. This book also deals with special issues such as ethical considerations, sexual abuse and disability, and treatment of the partner of the person with a disability. Separate chapters deal with specific illnesses and disabilities, with an explanation of how that illness or disability affects sexuality and sexual functioning in both men and women. Practical issues such as positioning and helpful tips are also defined for each disorder.

This much-needed work presents a clear, sensitive, and practical guide for clinicians who treat sexual problems among chronically ill men and women. Providing a comprehensive analysis of the difficulties faced by these individuals in their attempts to live full lives, the volume teaches clinicians basic skills needed to comfortably discuss sexuality with patients, assess sexual problems using both psychological and medical approaches, and create a systematic treatment plan. Authors Schover and Jensen's consistent emphasis on integrative assessment and therapeutic techniques goes a long way toward rectifying the imbalance often created by a strictly medical or psychological techniques.

By the year 2030, as many as 171 million people in the U.S.- more than half of all Americans-will be living with at least one chronic medical condition (data from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Illness or disability can easily derail a person's sex life-but it doesn't have to be that way. Using kindness, honesty, and humor, Iris Zink, BSN, MSN, ANP, RN-BC, explores the ways illness or disability can affect a sexual relationship and offers suggestions on how to regain intimacy. She also describes existing myths about sex and debunks them with real-life examples. Most importantly, you'll learn that, no matter how a person's body changes, no-one should have to give up sex. Ms. Zink has 20 years of experience in treating sexual health complications related to chronic illness, and in writing and lecturing to healthcare providers on sexual health subjects. She has enabled thousands of people to experience fulfilling sex and meaningful intimacy-she can help you, too!

Patients living with chronic illnesses will have questions, fears, and physical impairments related to sexual function. If left unattended, these sexual concerns can contribute to relationship distress, poor self-esteem, depression, non-adherence, and even a deterioration of patient-provider relationship. Avoiding these problems requires validating the importance of sexuality, comfortably communicating about sexuality, and effectively evaluating and treating the sexual repercussions of chronic illness. The Guest Editor, Margaret Chamberlain Wilmoth, PhD, MS, RN, is a professor in the department of adult health nursing at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Her research efforts have focused on understanding the impact cancer treatments have on sexuality and on increasing nurses' compliance with including sexuality education in their practice.

Candid, compassionate advice on how couples can meet their sexual needs when one partner is physically limited due to an illness or accident. Through forty-six years of marriage and two chronic illnesses, Lucille and Bob Carlton maintained a good marriage and satisfying sexual intimacy. But sustaining their sex life in the face of disability wasn't always easy--it took a lot of patience, creativity, and communication. Now Lucille, the widow of a Parkinson's patient and columnist for the National Parkinson Foundation, shares frank information about sexual practices, including nonstressful positions and alternatives to intercourse. Also included is information on postmenopausal changes, impotence, and depression, with emphasis on addressing the needs of both partners. This straightforward and touching guide assures us that physical limitation and embarrassment no longer have to limit intimacy.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the range of issues and concerns related to sexuality and health care. It describes the normal processes and issues which arise at different stages in a person's life connected with sexuality, and goes on to describe the particular issues and concerns that arise when there is illness, disfigurement, physical or mental disability. The Challenge of Sexuality in Health Care will provide qualified nurses, students, and health care professionals with the confidence to encourage patients to raise any concerns they might have.