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Neurogenic Sexual Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injuries

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Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is a disorder in all facets of sexual activity and can occur in many ways in patients with disabilities. It ranges from the “low level” of altered function in the sexual organs to the “highest level” of person’s trust. All medical expertise is based primarily on the medical mechanical problems of penile erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. The main problems of sexual dysfunction occur only when the patient approaches. For people with spinal cord injuries, sexual function has been identified as a priority for recovery. Recovery of sexual function is extremely important and constitutes an area of unmet need for people with spinal cord injuries. It would be the highest priority for people with paraplegia and the second highest priority in people with tetraplegia after recovering arm and hand function. Sexuality is a complex issue, and although we know our patients well, we often do not progress beyond the medical problem of erection, fertility, or contraception. For biologically effective sexual activity, an erection should occur with predictability, and vaginal lubrication based on adequate sexual arousal should facilitate comfortable sexual intercourse.

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Ko, HY. (2022). Neurogenic Sexual Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injuries. In: Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0228-4_31

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