Open AccessSexuality in women with traumatic spinal cord injury
Author(s) -
Westgren Ninni,
Hultling Claes,
Levi Richard,
Seiger Åke,
Westgren Magnus
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349709034913
Subject(s) - medicine , spinal cord injury , human sexuality , spasticity , population , rehabilitation , sex organ , spinal cord , physical therapy , poison control , injury prevention , gynecology , psychiatry , emergency medicine , gender studies , environmental health , sociology , biology , genetics
Background. Sexuality in spinal cord injured women has largely been neglected. One reason may be the male dominance amongst traumatically spinal cord injured individuals. The purpose of this study is to elucidate sexual issues in women with spinal cord injuries. Methods. Survey of near‐total prevalence population in the greater Stockholm area. Structured interview, based on a standardized questionnaire. Self‐rating scales for evaluation of the importance of sexual activity before and after injury and for defining and rating the medical problem most significantly interfering with sexual activity. Marital status and/or partnership pre‐ and post‐injury and information on sexual matters provided after injury were evaluated in detail. Out of a total of 65 women, 62 participated in the study. Result. Women with complete and incomplete cervical lesions rated the importance of sexual activity significantly lower after, as compared to before, spinal cord injury. No significant differences were found in women with lower‐level lesions. Urinary leakage, spasticity and positioning problems were the medical problems most significantly interfering with partner‐related sexual activity. Only six women had received information on sexual matters before discharge from hospital. None of the partners had received such information. Conclusion. The women's neurological status affect their ability to adapt sexually after injury. Medical problems commonly interfere with sexuality and should be identified and treated. No adverse impact of spinal cord injury on marital status could be confirmed. Sexual counseling has yet to become an integral part of rehabilitation.