Duncan Cross is a well-written patient blog that offers health-related commentary through the eyes of a chronically ill patient.
Sex is a topic often ignored by physicians, especially when discussing the side effect profiles of many medications:
In my experience, doctors ignored my romantic life unless I specifically complained about it – and it’s hard to talk about . . . it’s pretty cruel to a) give a twenty-something male a drug that cripples his libido b) without telling him it will do so, and c) keep him on the drug indefinitely.
How about the hospital environment? Many patients may be too sick to think about it, but that’s not always the case:
I don’t know of any place less hospitable – ha! – to human normalcy than the hospital. In the hospital, people are deprived of privacy, mobility, adequate nutrition – all sorts of basic human capabilities, including opportunities for sexual satisfaction. The irony is that although I often felt somewhat better in the hospital – that is, more capable of getting up and moving around, eating better, having sex – the place itself made these activities incredibly difficult.
Unique insight on a rarely discussed topic.
topics: hospital, sex
Related posts:
- Hospital credit cards
- Webcam in the hospital room shockwaves
- Unsung medical staff
- Protecting the hospital CEO
- First day in the hospital, a trauma to remember
- Another obstacle to electronic prescribing
- Is a hospital bailout coming?
KevinMD.com on Facebook
{ 3 comments }
Uh, this post suggests that if you’re a patient that you ask the nurse to drug your roommate so you can have sex in the hospital. Oh, and not to “look to the nurses” as potential partners. Thanks. I will not be drugging your roommate so you can get it on as a courtesy to you. PS If you’re well enough to have sex in the hospital, PROBABLY well enough to go home.
Kevin – appreciate the compliment and the link.
@Nurse K: Congrats – you earned yourself a whole entire post on my blog. See you there.
The hospital has no interest in or obligation to accomadate anyone’s sex life. Your hospital room is not your bedroom at home or a hotel room. Nothing private about it. Sex is not an entitlement, and unless you are trying to procreate, a necessity.
Comments on this entry are closed.