Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine sexual function at least 10 years after traumatic spinal
cord injury. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire plus retrospective and
prospective data from medical files. SUBJECTS: A total of 279 individuals with
traumatic spinal cord injury. RESULTS: For spinal cord injured women: 94% had no
problems with impaired vaginal lubrication; 22% had given birth after the injury;
and 69% reported being satisfied with their sexual life. The women who were
satisfied with their sexual life were younger than those who were not, and were
younger at the time of injury. For spinal cord injured men: 75% could achieve
erection, and they were younger than those who could not achieve erection; 35%
used aid(s) for erection; 78-94% had positive reported effect of penile
vibration, drugs and intracavernous injection for erection; 44% could achieve
ejaculation, and they were younger than those who could not; 56% used aid(s) for
ejaculation; 19% had made a woman pregnant, and a higher frequency of these men
could achieve erection and ejaculation; 54% reported being satisfied with their
sexual life; and significantly more men who had made a woman pregnant were
satisfied with their sexual life. For both genders problems regarding bladder and
bowel management, pressure ulcers, spasticity or pain correlated with lower
satisfaction with sexual life.

Langue : ANGLAIS