Abstract
The aim of the study is to assess the changes in sexual life and sexual function in women after spinal cord injury using the
validated Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index. Thirty-three women with spinal cord injury from the Spinal Rehabilitation
Unit of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia participated in this study. A comparison was made between this group of women and
a control group comprising 34 women matched for age and marital status. The findings showed that 40% of the women continued
to have sexual activity after injury. Frequency of sexual activity and desire was lower among women with spinal cord injury,
but the ability to achieve arousal, lubrication, orgasm and overall sexual satisfaction did not differ from those of the control
group. These findings imply that it is possible for women with spinal cord injury to have an active, satisfying sexual life
in spite of changes in sexuality caused by the injury.
validated Malay Version of Female Sexual Function Index. Thirty-three women with spinal cord injury from the Spinal Rehabilitation
Unit of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia participated in this study. A comparison was made between this group of women and
a control group comprising 34 women matched for age and marital status. The findings showed that 40% of the women continued
to have sexual activity after injury. Frequency of sexual activity and desire was lower among women with spinal cord injury,
but the ability to achieve arousal, lubrication, orgasm and overall sexual satisfaction did not differ from those of the control
group. These findings imply that it is possible for women with spinal cord injury to have an active, satisfying sexual life
in spite of changes in sexuality caused by the injury.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11195-011-9207-7
- Authors
- Aiza Shafrina Othman, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Julia Patrick Engkasan, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Journal Sexuality and Disability
- Online ISSN 1573-6717
- Print ISSN 0146-1044