[Sexuality of women with neurologic disorders]. / Sexualité de la patiente neurologique.
Prog Urol
; 23(9): 594-600, 2013 Jul.
Article
in Fr
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23830253
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in spinal cord injured (SCI) women is high.METHODS:
Medical literature on sexuality in women with SCI was reviewed and combined with expert opinion of the authors.RESULTS:
The physiology of the female sexual response including vasocongestion and muscular contractions occurring during sexual arousal and orgasm, and their innervation through somatosensory and autonomic pathways (pudendal, pelvic, hypogastric, vagus nerves) is described. Studies on women with SCI demonstrate the presence of a sacral reflex vasocongestion and/or thoracolumbar psychogenic vasocongestion. Fifty percent of women with SCI report orgasm, most often with genital stimulation, suggesting that an autonomic reflex response, but which can be perceived by vagus nerve transmission. Studies on sexual experience show that the frequency of sexual activities decreases, but interest for intercourse remains. More emphasis is placed on oral-genital stimulation, kisses, cuddling, caresses, fantasies, and erogenous stimulation above the lesion level. Sixty-nine percent of women with SCI report sexual satisfaction. Limitations concern positions during intercourse, spasticity, incontinence and autonomic dysreflexia. Alteration of the sexual sense of self and body image are also reported. Facilitating factors include education level, having a stable partner, occurrence of the lesion in adulthood, and increased posttraumatic delay. Treatment should emphasize neurological assessment of thoracolumbar sensitivity and presence of sacral reflexes. Sexual education should be encouraged during rehabilitation and cover the female sexual response, procreation and pregnancy (risks, prevention), along with precautions concerning various contraceptives. Treatment should include a refined assessment of perineal sensitivity to allow a mental image of the vulva, and trials with vibrostimulation and medication (PDEI5, midodrine) to maximize sexual responses and facilitate perception of sexual pleasure and orgasm.CONCLUSION:
Management of sexual dysfunction in SCI women must be holistic and biopsychosocial.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological
/
Spinal Cord Injuries
/
Sexuality
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
Fr
Journal:
Prog Urol
Journal subject:
UROLOGIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Francia