Spinal Cord Injured Women's Views of Sexuality: A Norwegian Survey (original) (raw)
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Sexuality of People with Spinal Cord Injury: Knowledge, Difficulties and Adaptation
Expressing sexuality is an important part of life, whether the person has a spinal cord injury (SCI) or not. This study investigated the sexual activity before and after SCI, the difficulties, and adjustments made by these people in relation to their sexuality. This is a qualitative study conducted with 14 people with SCI through semi-structured interviews, which we analyzed in light of pertinent literature and organized into three themes: sexual activity before and after SCI; difficulties in performing sexual activities; and adjustments in sexual activity after SCI. We conclude that, although there may be many difficulties, with the partner’s support they can get sexual satisfaction and adapt to the new reality. Nonetheless, it is necessary and essential that the patient receive guidance about the possible changes and adaptive methods, and nurses can play a critical role in this process.
Sexual Health and Women Living With Spinal Cord Injury: The Unheard Voice
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
Women's sexual health within the context of sexual function and psychosocial dimensions while living with a spinal cord injury (SCI) has rarely been discussed separately from men living with a SCI or from a collective with other chronic conditions. To date, over 64,000 women in the U.S. are currently living with SCI, with total numbers increasing each year, as well as the demographics shifting to include more diversity in race and incidences occurring later in life. On average, SCI tends to be acquired during the childbearing years (~30–50 years old), as well as when women experience other health concerns associated with aging, including perimenopause and menopause. Additionally, women's sexual health is often conceptualized from the position of the absence of disease and dysfunction. However, consistent with definitions furthered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Association of Sexual Health (WAS), we believe women's sexual health is multifaceted, moving ...
Sexual problems of women with spinal cord injury in Turkey
Spinal Cord, 2014
Objectives: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that affects many facets of the injured people's lives. One aspect is sexual functioning. The purpose of this study is to identify the sexual problems of women with SCI and determine their level of knowledge about sexuality. Methods: Twenty-six women with SCI for longer than 6 months were evaluated. Demographic information, sexual experiences were surveyed. Patients were also asked if and how they received sexual health consultation after SCI. Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory were evaluated. Results: In this study, average age of the women with SCI was 32.96±8.23 years (22-50 years). Eight patients had regular sexual intercourse while one married woman did not have any sexual relationship after SCI. Twenty-four of the patients in the study received no information about pregnancy or sexual health after SCI. All women were willing to receive information about sexuality after SCI. These patients expected the doctors to start the conversation about sexuality rather than asking about it. FSFI survey revealed that all the patients had sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: Sexual rehabilitation should thus be fully addressed in all spinal units and rehabilitation centers, along with other aspects of rehabilitation.
Science Research
Sexual knowledge is an important part of every life and it is necessary for clinicians to have a specific format in which to address sexual issues with their patients. A systematic approach to working with female spinal cord injury (SCI) patients need to present their sexual knowledge and experience. To explore the sexual knowledge and experience of women with spinal cord injury in the community level. The researcher conducted a mixed method research. In order to assess sexuality a standard questionnaire was developed on the basis of the clinical experience and review of relevant literature. The items of the questionnaire were selected keeping in mind the complex culture and principles of our society. VAS scale and likert scale was used to measure 9 close questions related to sexual knowledge and experience. Another 2 open ended question explored their perception how they maintain good relation and what they want to know from the rehabilitation program. Paired 't' test was used for identify the quality of sexual life. The total participant was 30. Mean ages were 30.73 ± 7.47 years. Mean duration of injury was 7.733 years. Of the participants 17 (56.7%) live in rural and 13 (43.3%) live in urban. The participant 23 (76.7%) was married before injury, 7 (23.3%) was married after injury. The study result was who stay in urban area their sexual happiness means score (54.384) was more than who stay in rural area (35.47). Married after injury (7 women) their mean sexual happiness score (72%) was more than who was married (23 women) before injury (mean score 33.82) and Significantly difference (P<0.05) quality of sexual life before and after injury. 50% of participant indicated that support of husband was not much and not at all. Advice from the participants for maintaining good relationship, financial independence, self-confidence, copes with the present situation is important. Participants want to know proper guidance after operation and different individual problem-solving technique in the rehabilitation education program. This study present important information with regards for improving sexual rehabilitation services to women with SCI.
Sexuality, Identity and Women with Spinal Cord Injury
Sexuality and Disability, 2011
Sexuality is an integral component of every individual's identity. The literature offers limited information about the sexuality and sexual identity of women with spinal cord injury (SCI), beyond the physiological and neurological aspects. The qualitative study described in this paper aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of a small sample of adult women with SCI regarding their sexuality post-injury. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four women, which were audio-taped and then transcribed. Thematic analysis was adopted for analyzing the narrative data. Themes that were identified include: factors facilitating positive sexual adjustment, barriers to sexuality post-injury and lack of sexual education in the rehabilitation process. Women with SCI echoed the need to be recognized as sexual beings, despite disability. Health professionals must be willing to discuss issues of a sexual nature and need an understanding of how illness or disability may impact on sexuality, in order to adequately assist individuals with physical disabilities address sexual and intimacy issues.
Spinal Cord, 1990
Changes in different aspects of sexuality were investigated and related to overall quality of life and physical, psychological and social adjustment in 73 SCI subjects, who were sexually active both before and after injury. Items on sexual interest and satisfaction were treated as one composite variable, the SIS scale, measuring sexual adjustment after injury. Despite severe genital dysfunction, more than half of the subjects (57%) rated their sexual relations after injury as satisfying or at least rather satisfying. The majority continued having intercourse, although many of them more seldom than before, and about half experienced orgasm. Sexual adjustment after injury was closely and positively correlated to frequency of intercourse, willingness to experiment with alternative sexual expressions and young age at injury. Physical and social independence and a high mood level were further positive determinants of sexual adaptation after injury, whereas the neurological level and completeness of injury showed no significant correlation with sexuality. It is suggested that sexual information and counselling should be integrated in the total care of the SCI patient to reduce the negative effects on sexuality, caused by the lnJury.
Sexuality for Women With Spinal Cord Injury
2015
The authors conducted a review of the literature on women's sexuality after spinal cord injury, including studies from 1990 to 2011 retrieved from PubMed. Several facets of a woman's sexuality are negatively affected by after spinal cord injury, and consequently, sexual satisfaction has been shown to decrease, which also negatively affects quality of life. Neurogenic bladder is common after spinal cord injury, and the resulting urinary incontinence is a top therapeutic priority of this population. To improve sexual satisfaction and quality of life for women with spinal cord injury, future research needs to explore the effects of urinary incontinence on various aspects of sexuality.
Sexual rehabilitation in women with spinal cord injury: A critical review of the literature
2010
Study design: Review article. Objectives: Critical review of literature on the multiple aspects of sexual rehabilitation in women with spinal cord injury (SCI) from initial recovery to long-term follow-up. Setting: Neuro-urology Department. Methods: Studies on sexuality selected from PubMed from 1993 to 2009. Results: Literature supported by significant statistical analyses reports that females with complete tetraglegia deserved special attention immediately at initial recovery; sexual intercourse is much more difficult for them (as compared with other women with SCI) mainly because of autonomic dysreflexia and urinary incontinence. There are sparse data on predictable factors favoring sexual rehabilitation such as the age SCI was incurred, the importance of one's sexual orientation, and the SCI etiology. Information after initial discharge is based chiefly on questionnaires, which report that as more time passes since the injury, patients attain more sexual satisfaction compared with recently injured women. Studies on neurological changes after SCI, and their effect on sexual response, are supported by a significant statistical analysis, but with few SCI patients. One topic reported the effect of sildenafil on sexuality, without benefit. No paper offers any detailed analysis on the sexual impact of medical and psychological treatments related to SCI. Literature reports that some co-morbidities are more prevalent in women with SCI compared with able-bodied women but data on sexual functioning are missing. Conclusion: To improve sexual rehabilitation services, sexual issues and response require evaluation during periodical check-ups using validated questionnaires administered by a physician 'guide' who coordinates professional operators thus providing personalized programmable interventions.