The impact of spinal cord injury on sexual function: concerns of the general population

Abstract

Study Design: Secure, web-based survey. Objectives: Obtain information from the spinal cord injured (SCI) population regarding sexual dysfunctions, with the aim of developing new basic science and clinical research and eventual therapies targeting these issues. Setting: Worldwide web. Methods: Individuals 18 years or older living with SCI. Participants obtained a pass-code to enter a secure website and answered survey questions. A total of 286 subjects completed the survey. Results: The majority of participants stated that their SCI altered their sexual sense of self and that improving their sexual function would improve their quality of life (QoL). The primary reason for pursuing sexual activity was for intimacy need, not fertility. Bladder and bowel concerns during sexual activity were not strong enough to deter the majority of the population from engaging in sexual activity. However, in the subset of individuals concerned about bladder and/or bowel incontinence during sexual activity, this was a highly significant issue. In addition, the occurrence of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) during typical bladder or bowel care was a significant variable predicting the occurrence and distress of AD during sexual activity. Conclusion: Sexual function and its resultant impact on QoL is a major issue to an overwhelming majority of people living with SCI. This certainly constitutes the need for expanding research in multiple aspects to develop future therapeutic interventions for sexual health and SCI.

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

“…Additionally, our results indicate that AD negatively impacts female sexual activity and intercourse. This is in line with our findings that AD negatively influences other aspects of sexual function 18 and further supports pursuing research to ameliorate AD. More females reported experiencing AD during sexual activity than males (39 versus 29%) and that AD interfered with sexual activity than males (28 versus 16%).…”

“…18 Bladder and/or bowel incontinence during sexual activity and/or sexual intercourse was a significant issue for females, which prevented some from seeking sexual activity with a partner. In addition, experiencing autonomic dysreflexia (AD) during sexual activity was interpreted negatively by many subjects and was found to interfere with sexual activity.…”

“…The first section was answered by males and females and those results are presented in the accompanying paper. 18 The second section was answered only by males and those data are presented in an additional accompanying paper. 19 The third section was completed by females only.…”

“…The eligibility requirements for the survey were simply that an individual be 18 Eligible subjects who were willing to participate received a randomly generated pass code in order to enter the secure website. Upon completion of the survey, the pass code used by an individual to enter the website was not linked to his/her answers, thereby preserving anonymity.…”

“…For data regarding the general study population and the male subpopulation, refer to the accompanying papers. 18,19 General sexual activity and associated influences during sexual activity: female subpopulation The majority of female participants had been involved in a sexual relationship preinjury (88.5%) and also postinjury (94.3%), and were involved in a sexual relationship at the time of study participation (69%). Only 41.4% had genital sensation.…”