Women's sexual life after spinal cord injury: Psychological aspects

Aim. - Some changes were of a physical nature whereas other changes were of a psychological nature (feeling less attractive, having less self-confidence, difficulties to meet a partner). It would be risky to attempt a clear analysis of female sexuality outside its neurohormonal determinants and ability to relate to a wide anatomical area. The SCI women reported that the injury caused many changes in their sex life and affected many aspects of their sexuality negatively. Methods. - Review of the literature using the following keywords: spinal cord injury; sexuality; sexual life; woman; sexual arousal; libido; orgasm; psychology; psychogenic, sexual dysfunction. Results. - Women presenting with spinal cord injury face numerous challenges (denial of motor deficit, phantom limbs and the collapse of libido to which amenorrhea is added). After a period of rehabilitation (short or long), the automatic spinal reflexes and rehabilitation exercises (in order to recover ordinary life) force the women to challenge their own difficulties before recovering autonomy. The sensitivo-motor dissociation she discovers, forces her to confront the psychic divisions of desire and physical desire as she tries to find his sexuality. Hence, she attempts to get out of her emotional loneliness and be confronted with the risk of marital breakdown, problems sphincter and its dreams of pregnancy. Conclusion. - Successful SCI rehabilitation requires a holistic approach, taking into account the patient's physical and psychological circumstances. Despite the presence of handicaps occurring following spinal cord injuries, a long way toward recovering self-esteem may enable her to find a different sexuality but flourished. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.