An Integrated Vision of Sexuality after Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with SCIs experience both physical and psychological changes that can affect their sexual health. These injuries can lead to a loss of movement, sensation, and sexual reflexes, impacting arousal, orgasm, and fertility, depending on the injury's severity and location. Addressing sexual health post-SCI requires more than just medical treatment; it necessitates comprehensive education for patients and their families to foster a positive understanding of sexuality, enhance communication, and support overall well-being. Health care providers must actively engage in addressing these issues, involving patients and their families in decision-making. Unfortunately, many professionals lack the necessary knowledge and skills to address sexual health in SCI due to gaps in education and discomfort with the topic. Therefore, it is essential to promote and train health care providers in SCI sexuality, as it greatly influences the quality of life for individuals with SCI.