Sexual problems before and after myocardial infarction: patients' needs for information.

Abstract

Changes occur in an individual's lifestyle after a myocardial infarction (MI), including his or her sexual activity. This study evaluated problems related to post-MI sexual functioning and the information needs of MI patients. The study included 110 MI patients who had home visits within 2-5 months after their discharge from the hospital. Data were gathered through a questionnaire that was completed through personal interviews. The study sample was predominantly male (95.5%). All patients were married, and 25% were between the ages of 24 and 40 years. We identified unnecessary limitations in sexual activities and mistakes in the reorganization of activities, such as resumption of sexual activity and frequency and positions of sexual intercourse. We found that all 110 patients had insufficient information about their future sexual functioning.