Question
Hi- I have had a c7 SCI since '95 and have adapted in most ways to life in the chair (not much choice, huh?).  I finished college, had boyfriends and jobs and all the usual stuff, then got married almost 3 years ago.  My questions concern SCI and possible effects on hormones or arousal or any of that AND the ability  to have sexual pleasure. (I'm female, I should mention)
Husband and I have some issues- he's had a couple of years now with bad anxiety and depression but is finally getting a bit better with meds.  I however seem to have lost whatever sex drive I used to have.  Is sex drive decreased in people with SCI?  Especially women, I suppose, as few things decrease it in men... (kidding, mostly)
The other thing is the ability to reach orgasm- I know the procedure for men (i guess since there's so many more men with SCI?) but I don't know if women have the same potential as before SCI?  I know I can still feel good, but I think it mostly is happening in my brain.  Not to diminish the brain's role, of course, I'm all for it-- but physically is there a difference now vs before?

Thanks for any suggestions.  It seems ridiculous that I've lived with this for so long and don't know already, but fresh out of the hospital I asked something similar on a disability magazine forum website and got "devotees" sending me photos and such and it totally freaked me out... Better late than never, though, right?

Answer
Hi Leslie,
Thanks so much for your question.

You have me at somewhat of a disadvantage because I'm a male. I guess the sex drive does decrease in some disabled.

When I was at a rehabilitation center, I went through an orientation and one of the classes was "Sex and the Disabled".

There were several females in the class including my counselor, who also had a spinal cord injury. There were various experiences. Some of the females said they still had feeling in their vagina but each had different levels of orgasms, from total feeling of one to a slightly
felt orgasm.

What I didn't understand was a couple of the females had limited feeling yet they were able to experience some orgasms. I don't know if they were being totally truthful or if it was all imagined or if they really did.

My counselor never really said what feeling she had but she did say she enjoyed her sex life.

For those with spinal cord injuries, both male and female, with little or no feelings will have to take pleasure in pleasing someone else and derive most of their own pleasure mentally and emotionally. Believe me, that does work. I guess it's just something you will have to find out
for yourself.

I hope this helps.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie