How to Discuss Sexual Health With Girls and Young Women With Spina Bifida: A Practical Guide for the Urologist

To provide urologists with a practical guide for how to provide sexual health counseling to girls and women with spina bifida. The recommendations and research of several sources were synthesized to create this guidance, including clinical guidance from the Spina Bifida Association and American Coll...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2021-05, Vol.151, p.72-78
Main Authors: Streur, Courtney S., Sandberg, David E., Kalpakjian, Claire Z., Wittmann, Daniela A., Quint, Elisabeth H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Child Abuse, Sexual - diagnosis
Confidentiality
Developmental Disabilities - complications
Female
Gynecological Examination
Humans
Parents
Professional-Family Relations
Referral and Consultation
Sex Education
Sexual Health
Spinal Dysraphism - complications
Urologists
Young Adult
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Summary:To provide urologists with a practical guide for how to provide sexual health counseling to girls and women with spina bifida. The recommendations and research of several sources were synthesized to create this guidance, including clinical guidance from the Spina Bifida Association and American College of Obstetricians, the current literature on the sexual health of girls and women with spina bifida, and the multidisciplinary experience of the authors. Sexual health education should be viewed by urologists as a continuous discussion, starting in early childhood and gradually building through adolescence. Developing a plan for when and how to bring it up, utilizing parents as educational partners, identifying who will provide the detailed one-on-one counseling if not the primary urologist, establishing a referral network for specialized care (eg, adolescent gynecologist, physical therapist, or sex therapist), becoming familiar with how spina bifida impacts sexual health, and being prepared for challenges are key to providing these girls and women with competent sexual health education. Urologists should also screen for abuse at each visit and be familiar with reporting and resources for when abuse is identified. This guidance can serve to direct urologists in providing competent sexual health education to girls and women with spina bifida. This will ensure these girls and women receive the basic education they need, and that they can be referred to appropriate sexual health experts as indicated.
ISSN:0090-4295
1527-9995
1527-9995
DOI:10.1016/j.urology.2020.06.068