'Complete' Spinal Cord Injury Does Not Block Perceptual Responses to Genital Self-stimulation in Women

Abstract

(1) Genitospinal visceral afferent pathways function in the women in the group with upper SCI, although unrecognized by the American Spinal Injury Association criteria, and/or (2) there exists a functional genital afferent pathway that bypasses the spinal cord and projects directly to the brain, which we propose to be via the vagus nerves.

Female Orgasm(s): One, Two, Several

“…Our previous finding in women diagnosed with “complete” SCI [43] is consistent with the above conclusion that awareness of vaginal and cervical stimulation is uniquely different from awareness of clitoral stimulation. The women in that study had no external bodily sensation or voluntary movement below the level of the SCI, which was in all cases at the midthoracic level (T‐10 or above).…”

Female Orgasm(s): One, Two, Several

“…Our previous finding in women diagnosed with “complete” SCI [43] is consistent with the above conclusion that awareness of vaginal and cervical stimulation is uniquely different from awareness of clitoral stimulation. The women in that study had no external bodily sensation or voluntary movement below the level of the SCI, which was in all cases at the midthoracic level (T‐10 or above).…”

The international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury: relationship between S4-5 dermatome testing and anorectal testing

“…Further, rectal stimulation showed cortical activation in areas of the brain similar to healthy volunteers. Their assertion is supported by other studies in which SCI patients describe sensation in the bladder, 12,13 genital stimulation 14 and anorectal sensation. 15,16 In another study using MRI, Samdani et al 17 describes a patient who was clinically tested as incomplete, but had complete disruption of their spinal cord.…”

Sexual Health and Women Living With Spinal Cord Injury: The Unheard Voice

“…Additionally, women's sexual health is often conceptualized from the position of the absence of disease and dysfunction ( 8 ). However, consistent with definitions furthered by the World Health Organization ( 4 ) and World Association of Sexual Health ( 9 ), we believe that women's sexual health is multifaceted and moves beyond reproduction and the mechanics of sex to encompass both sexual function and psychosocial dimension.…”

Female Orgasm(s): One, Two, Several

“…Our previous finding in women diagnosed with “complete” SCI [43] is consistent with the above conclusion that awareness of vaginal and cervical stimulation is uniquely different from awareness of clitoral stimulation. The women in that study had no external bodily sensation or voluntary movement below the level of the SCI, which was in all cases at the midthoracic level (T‐10 or above).…”

The international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury: relationship between S4-5 dermatome testing and anorectal testing

“…Further, rectal stimulation showed cortical activation in areas of the brain similar to healthy volunteers. Their assertion is supported by other studies in which SCI patients describe sensation in the bladder, 12,13 genital stimulation 14 and anorectal sensation. 15,16 In another study using MRI, Samdani et al 17 describes a patient who was clinically tested as incomplete, but had complete disruption of their spinal cord.…”

Sexual Health and Women Living With Spinal Cord Injury: The Unheard Voice

“…Additionally, women's sexual health is often conceptualized from the position of the absence of disease and dysfunction ( 8 ). However, consistent with definitions furthered by the World Health Organization ( 4 ) and World Association of Sexual Health ( 9 ), we believe that women's sexual health is multifaceted and moves beyond reproduction and the mechanics of sex to encompass both sexual function and psychosocial dimension.…”

Female Orgasm(s): One, Two, Several

“…Our previous finding in women diagnosed with “complete” SCI [43] is consistent with the above conclusion that awareness of vaginal and cervical stimulation is uniquely different from awareness of clitoral stimulation. The women in that study had no external bodily sensation or voluntary movement below the level of the SCI, which was in all cases at the midthoracic level (T‐10 or above).…”

The international standards for neurological classification of spinal cord injury: relationship between S4-5 dermatome testing and anorectal testing

“…Further, rectal stimulation showed cortical activation in areas of the brain similar to healthy volunteers. Their assertion is supported by other studies in which SCI patients describe sensation in the bladder, 12,13 genital stimulation 14 and anorectal sensation. 15,16 In another study using MRI, Samdani et al 17 describes a patient who was clinically tested as incomplete, but had complete disruption of their spinal cord.…”

Sexual Health and Women Living With Spinal Cord Injury: The Unheard Voice

“…Additionally, women's sexual health is often conceptualized from the position of the absence of disease and dysfunction ( 8 ). However, consistent with definitions furthered by the World Health Organization ( 4 ) and World Association of Sexual Health ( 9 ), we believe that women's sexual health is multifaceted and moves beyond reproduction and the mechanics of sex to encompass both sexual function and psychosocial dimension.…”