Sexual issues of women with spinal cord injuries

Abstract

The need for research addressing problems unique to women with spinal cord injuries is well documented. Consequently, 231 such women, ages 18 to 45, were surveyed. Demographic characteristics and data relating to physician usage, female hygiene, pregnancy, contraception and sexuality were collected.Analysis revealed that 60% of the respondents had post injury amenorrhea; the average time until menses resumption was 5 months. The group's post injury pregnancy rate was one-third its pre injury rate, but women with incomplete paraplegia had significantly more pregnancies than those with complete quadri plegia.Of 47 women who did carry babies to delivery, one-half had vaginal deliveries; 49% used no anesthesia. Problems during pregnancy included auto nomic hyperreflexia, decubitus ulcers, urinary tract infections, water retention, bladder and bowel problems, anemia, spotting, fatigue, cardiac irregularity and toxemia. Many of these problems plagued the women during labor and delivery and in the post partum period as well.Sixty-nine percent of the women were satisfied with their post injury sexual experiences, although self confidence, spasticity, and lack of spontaneity were issues. Although satisfied with care received from physicians, many women were not content with the information provided during rehabilitation, and felt a need for more literature, counselling, and peer support.

Sexual issues in a sample of women with spinal cord injury

“…The majority of women in our sample classified the information they received as insufficient or nonexistent Many of the published studies on the subject with women with SCI do not address the sexual aspect of this condition, 1,6,7,12,23 which highlights the fact that those professionals who provide care and/or rehabilitation for women with these lesions are usually not involved in the important process of sexual readaptation. It is our belief that it is more difficult to adapt without help, and consequently we are in favor of a structured plan of information and integration of women with SCI in their new sexual lives.…”

“…A noticeable drop in the average number of sexual encounters per month clearly stands out, diminishing Sexual issues in women with SCI ME Ferreiro-Velasco et al from an average of 9.9-4.2. Other authors 3,6,12 have discovered decreases in the frequency of intercourse of women with SCI in comparison to before the injury. This decrease in the frequency of sexual activity, which affected most participants in the study group, derived in some cases to the point where sexual activity came to a complete halt.…”

“…1 There are few studies which assess the impact that SCIs have on the sexuality of women, and the majority which do so are focused primarily on reproductive aspects. [2][3][4][5] The reasons behind this fact may probably be explained by the much higher incidence of SCI in men than in women, [5][6][7] by the belief that female sexual dysfunction is less problematic given their supposed passive role during sexual intercourse, 5,8 and by the greater objectivity of loss of erection, ejaculation, and male fertility. 6,7 Sexuality constitutes a fundamental part of people's lives, integrating physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] The reasons behind this fact may probably be explained by the much higher incidence of SCI in men than in women, [5][6][7] by the belief that female sexual dysfunction is less problematic given their supposed passive role during sexual intercourse, 5,8 and by the greater objectivity of loss of erection, ejaculation, and male fertility. 6,7 Sexuality constitutes a fundamental part of people's lives, integrating physical, emotional, intellectual, and social aspects. 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.…”

“…The percentages published of women who are sexually active after having suffered SCI range between 53 and 67%, 1,7,11,12 indicating a significant decrease in the frequency of sexual activity. 3,6,12 Jackson and Wadley 11 reported that the number of years postinjury and level of injury were predictive of intercourse, while extent of injury was not. Charlifue et al 6 find that those women with a complete tetraplegia have the most sporadic sexual encounters, yet without significant differences with regards to paraplegic women or those with incomplete injuries.…”