Anne Topping describes the devastating impact a stoma can produce on an individual’s sexuality and identifies ways in which the nurse can include patient and partner in care planning

Anyone undergoing the formation of a stoma is facing a major change in his or her life. The individual will experience an alteration in normal methods of elimination and will need to learn new skills in order to adapt to change. Devlin (1) eloquently described the experience of stoma surgery as: 'an immense price tor cure... paid in physical discomfort and in psychological and social trauma'. One aspect of this price is an alteration in body image and for some a major change in sexual functioning.