Sexual adjustment after spinal cord injury (SCI) focusing on partner experiences

Abstract

In addition to the physical disability, a spinal cord injury affects self esteem and partner relationships. This study addressed partner experiences in relation to sexual interest, behaviour and satisfaction. A measure of satisfaction within relationships was also included. Forty-nine partners of SCI persons completed a comprehensive survey including an 80 item questionnaire and a VAS quality-of life measure. Partner ages ranged from 18 to 79 years (median 34 years). Thirty-nine partners were women and 10 partners were men. Significance testing of relationships included bivariate, partial and multiple correlation procedures. Sixty-one per cent of the partners appreciated the quality of their sexual relationship and most partners (84%) considered their relationship overall to be satisfying. Half of the couples engaged in sex, with or without intercourse, once a week or more. Fifty-five per cent of the partners reported being content with the frequency of their sexual interaction while one third would have wished more frequent activity. Almost half of the partners (45%) considered their current sex life to be as good as or even better than their previous sex life. High general satisfaction with life, a varied repertoire of rewarding sexual expressions, including intercourse and concern about the able bodied partner's sexual pleasure were positive predictors of an active and fulfilling sexual relationship. From the partner's perspective, feelings of emotional closeness, mutual concerns and willingness to engage in a variety of sexual activities seem to be more important for sexual fulfilment than the physiological aspects of sexuality.

Sexual issues in a sample of women with spinal cord injury

“…9,17 The overprotective family environment can deprive these children of their privacy and independence, hindering the acquisition of sexual knowledge. All these factors could imply a more limited social life, thus reducing the possibilities of encountering a partner.…”

“…A woman with SCI must learn to explore and investigate the erotic possibilities that lie in the rest of her body 17 and to understand sexuality in a wider sense, not only limited to intercourse. 9 Similarly, the ability to achieve an orgasm also diminishes considerably after the injury. The majority of women who reached an orgasm claimed to do so less frequently, with greater difficulty, and they described it as less pleasurable than before the injury.…”

“…5 A spinal injury may affect the patient's sex life not only due to the physical impairments, but also owing to a lower self-esteem and self-image, as well as the attitude that both society and their partners show towards disability. 9 There is still a tendency in society to regard the disabled as asexual, always dependent on others and unable to have physical relationships on equal terms. 10 Various reports have been published on the characteristics of the women's sexual activity, both before and after suffering a spinal injury.…”

Sexual rehabilitation of women with a spinal cord injury

“…It is cited by 16.5% of a sample female SCI population (n ¼ 315) as a major physical problem associated with sexual activity. 15 It has a negative impact on the self-image of SCI women 16 and this is associated with poor sexual adjustment post injury.…”

“…It is cited by 16.5% of a sample female SCI population (n ¼ 315) as a major physical problem associated with sexual activity. 15 It has a negative impact on the self-image of SCI women 16 and this is associated with poor sexual adjustment post injury. 17 The chosen mode of control of urinary incontinence is, in part, dependent on the type of neurogenic bladder dysfunction -especially when pharmacological or surgical options are considered.…”