Iranian Men's Sexual Life Issues After Their Wives' Burn: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study.

This qualitative study explores the sexual experiences of Iranian men whose wives survived major burn injuries, focusing on how these injuries affect marital sexual life. Interviews with 16 men revealed three main themes: sexual desire restrictors (including wives' scars, imposed caregiving roles, and wives' sexual coldness), degradation of marital sex (reduced frequency of intercourse and temptation toward extramarital affairs), and efforts to maintain sexual relations (such as sexual self-sacrifice, pretending, and precautions during intercourse). The findings highlight that physical and psychological complications from burns, combined with cultural taboos around sexual communication, contribute to challenges in couples' sexual intimacy. The study suggests that culturally sensitive educational programs for couples and healthcare professionals could improve sexual health and coping strategies after burn injuries.