Sexual Health and Well-Being in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Lorna Swan, Jonathan Windram, Luke J. Burchill, Laila Ladak, Leigh Reardon, Beatriz Fernández, Roni Jacobsen, Maggie Simpson, David G. Harrison, Liza Morton
Abstract
As health care outcomes improve the priority for those living with adult congenital heart disease have changed to a more holistic focus on quality of life and well-being. Although health care has embraced this, there are still areas where there is a deficit in advice, allyship, and advocacy. One of these deficits is in the area of sexual health and well-being. A healthy sexual life has a myriad of physical and psychosocial benefits. However, individuals with adult congenital heart disease may have significant barriers to achieving well-being in this aspect of their lives. These barriers and their potential solutions are outlined in this paper.