Spinal cord injury influences psychogenic as well as physical components of female sexual ability

Abstract

Study design: Secure, web-based survey. Objectives: Elicit specific information about sexual function from women with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Setting: World-wide web. Methods: Individuals 18 years or older living with SCI obtained a pass code to enter a secure website and then answered survey questions. Results: Bladder and/or bowel incontinence during sexual activity and/or sexual intercourse were significant concerns and prevented some women from seeking sexual activity. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) during sexual activity was interpreted negatively by many and was found to interfere with sexual activity. Most subjects reported difficulty becoming psychologically aroused as well as physically aroused, which were both correlated with feeling that their SCI had altered their sexual sense of self. An inverse relationship existed between developing new areas of arousal above the level of lesion and not having sensation or movement below the lesion. The most commonly reported sexual stimulation leading to the best arousal involved stimulation of the head/neck and torso areas. The majority of subjects reported having experienced intercourse postinjury. Most participants reported difficulty with positioning during foreplay and intercourse, vaginal lubrication, and spasticity during intercourse. Almost half reported experiencing orgasm postinjury and this was positively associated with the presence of genital sensation. Conclusion: SCI significantly impairs psychological and physical aspects of female sexual arousal. In addition, bladder and bowel incontinence as well as AD negatively impact sexual activity and intercourse.

Female sexual dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury: a study from Iran

“…7 The present study found that pain during intercourse did not significantly affect women's sexual functioning, which is similar to that found in previous studies. 4,19 Age was another predictor of the FSD in the present study. Others have found that women over age 30 years are associated with a decline in sexual interest.…”

“…Women are more prone to depression and psychological disorders after injury compared with men. 4 Moreover, studies have found that women with SCI frequently report loss of vaginal lubrication and problems reaching orgasm. [4][5][6][7][8] Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) can often interfere with quality of life.…”

“…4 Moreover, studies have found that women with SCI frequently report loss of vaginal lubrication and problems reaching orgasm. [4][5][6][7][8] Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) can often interfere with quality of life. 9 Studies have found that women with SCI believe that they should have a passive role during sexual intercourse and this adversely affects their sexual functioning.…”

“…However, studies have found that patients with SCI suffer from sexual dysfunction and this is true for both sexes depending on the level of injury. [4][5][6] Owing to a high prevalence of SCI in men, numerous studies have focused on the sexuality of men with SCI. Less attention, however, has been paid to problems with sexual function in women with SCI.…”

Sexual satisfaction in women with spinal cord injuries

“…11 According to the literature, women with SCIs have reduced ability to achieve orgasm; 50% are able to achieve it with level T12-L1 injuries, and o17% are able to achieve it with level S2-S5 injuries. 12 In our sample, 37% of the women were able to achieve orgasm.…”