Sexuality after spinal cord injury: A critical review

https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(87)90018-3Get rights and content

Abstract

The literature on sexuality after spinal cord injury was reviewed. Four major areas were examined: the sexual response cycle, reproductive functioning, sexual behavior and adjustment, and sexual counseling and rehabilitation. Early research focused almost exclusively on the physiology of sexual functioning after spinal injury. There is now an increasing body of information about the psychosocial aspects of sexual adjustment. Methodological problems and areas for future research were critically discussed. Where information was available, emphasis was given to the differences between men and women after spinal cord injury.

References (99)

  • A.H. Berkman et al.

    Sexual adjustment of spinal cord injured veterans living in the community

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1978)
  • E. Bors et al.

    Neurological disturbances of sexual function with special reference to 529 patients with spinal cord injury

    Urological Survey

    (1960)
  • E. Bors et al.

    Fertility in paraplegic males: A preliminary report of endocrine studies

    Journal of Clinical Endocrinology

    (1950)
  • W.S. Bradley

    Pregnancy in paraplegia: A case report with urologic complication

    American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

    (1957)
  • M. Braverman et al.

    Psychotraumatic sexual response

    Journal of Forensic Medicine

    (1971)
  • S. Bregman

    Sexuality and the spinal cord injured woman

    (1975)
  • S. Bregman et al.

    Sexual adjustment and feminine attractiveness among spinal cord injured women

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1976)
  • G.S. Brindley

    The fertility of men with spinal injuries

    Paraplegia

    (1984)
  • P.A. Chapelle et al.

    Penile erection following complete spinal cord injury in man

    British Journal of Urology

    (1980)
  • P.A. Chapelle et al.

    Pregnancy of the wife of a complete paraplegic by homologous insemination after intrathecal injection of neostigmine

    Paraplegia

    (1976)
  • J.B. Cibeira

    Some conclusions on a study of 365 patients with spinal cord lesions

    Paraplegia

    (1970)
  • T.M. Cole

    Sexuality and physical disabilities

    Archives of Sexual Behavior

    (1975)
  • T.M. Cole

    Sexuality and the spinal cord injured

  • T.M. Cole et al.

    A new programme of sex education and counseling for spinal cord injured adults and health care professionals

    Paraplegia

    (1973)
  • T.M. Cole et al.

    Rehabilitation professionals and sexual counseling for spinal cord injured adults

    Archives of Sexual Behavior

    (1975)
  • A.E. Comarr

    Marriage and divorce among patients with spinal cord injury

  • A.E. Comarr

    Observations on menstruation and pregnancy among female spinal cord injury patients

    Paraplegia

    (1966)
  • A.E. Comarr

    Sexual function among patients with spinal cord injury

    Urologia Internationalis

    (1970)
  • A.E. Comarr et al.

    Sleep dreams of sex among traumatic paraplegics and quadriplegics

    Sexuality and Disability

    (1983)
  • A.E. Comarr et al.

    Sexual counseling among male and female patients with spinal cord and/or cauda equina injury: Part I

    American Journal of Physical Medicine

    (1978)
  • A.E. Comarr et al.

    Sexual counseling among male and female patients with spinal cord and/or cauda equina injury: Part II

    American Journal of Physical Medicine

    (1978)
  • J.P. Conomy

    Disorders of body image after spinal cord injury

    Neurology

    (1973)
  • D.A. Cornelius et al.

    Who cares? A handbook on sex education and counseling services for disabled people

  • N.M. Crewe et al.

    Spinal cord injury: A comparison of preinjury and postinjury marriages

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1979)
  • A. David et al.

    Survival in marriage in the paraplegic couple: Psychological study

    Paraplegia

    (1977)
  • A. David et al.

    Spinal cord injuries: Male infertility aspects

    Paraplegia

    (1977)
  • M. Dell Fitting et al.

    Self-concept and sexuality of spinal cord injured women

    Archives of Sexual Behavior

    (1978)
  • F.S. Deyoe

    Marriage and family patterns with long-term spinal cord injury

    Paraplegia

    (1972)
  • M.G. Eisenberg et al.

    Sex and the spinal cord injured: Some questions and answers

    (1974)
  • M.G. Eisenberg et al.

    Sex counseling and program on a spinal cord injury service

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1976)
  • A.I. El Ghatit et al.

    Marriage and divorce after spinal cord injury

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1976)
  • R.L. Evans et al.

    Multidisciplinary approach to sex education of spinal cord injured patients

    Physical Therapy

    (1976)
  • W.F. Fitzpatrick

    Sexual function in the paraplegic patient

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1974)
  • H. Goller

    Our experiences about pregnancy and delivery of the paraplegic woman

    Paraplegia

    (1970)
  • H. Goller et al.

    Pregnancy damage and birth-complications in the children of paraplegic women

    Paraplegia

    (1972)
  • E.R. Griffith et al.

    Sexual function in spinal cord-injured patients: A review

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1973)
  • E.R. Griffith et al.

    Sexual functioning in women with spinal cord injury

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1975)
  • E.R. Griffith et al.

    Sexual function restoration in the physically disabled: Use of a private hospital room

    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    (1977)
  • L. Guttmann

    The married life of paraplegics and tetraplegics

    Paraplegia

    (1964)
  • Cited by (22)

    • Sexual functioning among women with physical disabilities

      1996, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
    • Connections Between Sexuality and Aggression

      2021, Connections Between Sexuality and Aggression
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text