Sexuality and sexual dysfunction in spinal cord-injured men in Turkey

Abstract

Background/aim: To provide a comprehensive evaluation of sexual function and dysfunction in spinal cord-injured men based on self-reports of patients.Materials and methods: Forty-seven spinal cord-injured men who completed the spinal shock and rehabilitation period were included.Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire developed to assess social status, sexual activities, abilities, and sexuality education after injury. Neurologic levels of patients were classified according to American Spinal Cord Injury Association protocol. Erectile function was evaluated by International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Results:Patients were aged between 20 and 62 years (mean: 35.2). Twenty-eight patients had T10 and above, 15 between T11 and L2, and 4 cauda conus injury. While 61.7% of the patients declared sexual activity, 93.6% declared some degree of erection. Mean IIEF-5 score was 5.3 and 87.3% of the patients had moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. Conclusion:Continuation of sexual activity after injury is very important and has a great impact on quality of life and interpersonal relationships for spinal cord-injured men. More attention must be given to sexuality after spinal cord injury. A very high rate of sexual dysfunction in spinal cord-injured patients was found and the importance of sexual education was emphasized in this study.

Atividade sexual na lesão medular: construção e validação de cartilha educativa

“…The physical changes caused by this condition impact on the life of people who have the trauma directly, including the aspect of sexual satisfaction, thus interfering with the psychological and social components as a consequence of an altered self-perception. (1,2) The worldwide incidence of spinal cord trauma is from 15 to 40 new cases per year per one million people. In Brazil, the estimated incidence is 40 new cases per year per one million people, with 80% of the victims being men and 60% between 10 and 30 years old.…”

“…For tetraplegic patients, this worry is secondary, because regaining the motor function is their priority, given the greater impairment of motricity and mobility they suffer. (2,(4)(5)(6) Sexual satisfaction is an important aspect of the life of people with spinal cord injury, and different treatment methods for sexual dysfunctions and adaptations in sex life must be considered to improve the quality of life of these people. (6,7) Healthcare professionals have the responsibility to promote sex education of people with spinal cord injury to reduce the impact of the condition on sexuality and the sexual function and improve the quality of life of these patients.…”

Evaluation of sexual and fertility dysfunction in spinal cord-injured men in Jamaica

“…12 Akman reported that Turkish men with SCI preferred to have sexual education given by physicians after the completion of the rehabilitation period, yet in that study, only 8.5% of patients received sexual education after injury. 15 Though no consensus exists on the timing, methods and details of sexual education after traumatic SCI, we believe that a protocol for this aspect of management is warranted. Alexander made recommendations for discussing sexual health with patients with SCI by providing sensitive information and being available to answer questions.…”

“…In a previous study assessing the long-term outcome of erectile function in men with SCI, 61% of respondents reported having erections without pharmacological or assisted devices, however, in most patients the quality of erections was poor (turgor and duration). 14 Akman reported that in 47 Turkish men with a history of a SCI,~94% reported the presence of erections, however, 87% 15 Psychogenic and reflexogenic erections may be preserved in men with SCI, however, these erections are usually of poor quality and may not permit satisfactory intercourse. In fact, in our study, most men reported poor overall satisfaction with intercourse.…”

Comprometimentos sexuais em homens com lesão medular

“…Cuenca et al 19 estabeleceu uma relação entre a depressão, ansiedade, auto-estima com a disfunção sexual de homens com lesão medular. Já Akman et al 20 pontuam que a continuação da atividade sexual após a lesão é muito importante e tem um grande impacto na qualidade de vida e no relacionamento interpessoal de homens lesionados na medula espinhal e, por isso, mais atenção deve ser dada à sexualidade após lesão medular.…”