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Parenting and Pleasure

For More Information contact: OPVA Hospital Liaison

Sexual function and the ability to have children is a key issue for many people with spinal cord injuries. Just as each injury is different, so are the answers to questions about sex and parenting.

Most women with SCI have the ability to bear children and raise them well. If she was able to have children before the SCI, the chances are very good that she still can. Men, on the other hand, have a more difficult task because of anatomical issues. It may be difficult to achieve and/or maintain an erection due to the lack of sensation. It is also difficult for men with SCI to ejaculate during intercourse because of the damaged nerves. Even if ejaculation is achieved, sperm cells in men with SCI are usually less fertile and less mobile. This may be due to the lack of temperature control resulting from the inability of the scrotal muscles to raise and lower the testicles as needed.

However, with modern technology, men with SCI can become fathers through artificial insemination. Studies at the Miami Project in Florida have shown good results with dozens of happy couples delivering beautiful, healthy babies. Often, the spouse is given a fertility drug to assist in the fertilization process. This results in a production of several eggs per cycle, thereby increasing the chance of conception.

If you are considering parenthood, check with your doctor. You may be referred to an urologist or gynecologist that specializes in SCI patients. Sex therapy and education are important.

Even if you're not seeking parenthood, you still deserve a satisfying sex life. This is a difficult topic for many people to discuss openly. However, it is important to understand what's going on and to be willing to try different things. What works for one person may not work for you. You have to be comfortable with yourself and your partner. Many women with SCI can achieve orgasm though it may take longer. Men can get erections with the aid of drugs, vacuum pumps, vibrators or even surgery. The most important thing is to keep on trying. It's well worth the effort.