Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Spinal cord injury SCI is a life-altering event often accompanied by a host of anxiety-provoking questions and concerns in the minds of affected individuals.
As a result of advances in SCI research over the last few decades, providers now have the knowledge and tools to address many of these concerns in an evidence-based and patient-centered approach. SCI can impair multiple components involved in sexual function, including libido, achieving and maintaining an erection, ejaculation, and orgasm.
Many safe and effective fertility treatments are available to couples affected by SCI. Thus, this review aims to highlight the current state of SCI research relating to sexual function, reproductive health, and the search for meaning. Keywords: spinal cord injury, sexuality, fertility, intimacy, ejaculation, relationship, reproductive health, erectile dysfunction, communication, pregnancy, semen quality. Spinal cord injury SCI frequently occurs in men during the years of their reproductive health peak when they may desire to start a family and have children.
Similar statistics have been reported in other countries and regions [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The most common causes of SCI are motor vehicle accidents, falls, violence including gunshot wounds , and sports-related injuries [ 1 ]. Following SCI, men face numerous complications, including erectile dysfunction and infertility. However, women with SCI can conceive and deliver children with nearly the same success rate as the general population [ 9 ].
When surveyed, patients affected by SCI ranked sexual and reproductive functions as major factors affecting their quality of life [ 10 ]. Non-traumatic damage to the spinal cord such as disc herniation may have similar effects on sexual dysfunction. Reflex Erections are mediated by the sacral reflex arc, requiring intact S2—S4 nerve roots. They are produced by direct stimulation of the penis and occur independently of erotic stimuli.
