BODY VARIATIONS AND OUR SEXUALITY: SPINAL CORD INJURIES

The spinal cord is the long bundle of nerves in the middle of our backbones where all of the nerves in our bodies meet before connecting to the brain. The spinal cord stretches from the base of the neck to the tailbone just above the anus. When we are touched, the nerves in our skin stimulate nerves in the spinal cord. The spinal cord stimulates receptors in the brain. The brain translates the stimulation as pleasure, pain, or discomfort. The head is the only part of the body that does not depend on the spinal cord for responses to sensation. Sensations experienced by the head—sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch of the face—are experienced directly by the brain.

Different injuries of the spinal cord will affect how different parts of our bodies experience touch, pressure, and movement. An injury of the spinal cord damages the nerves that let us know we are being touched. A serious injury to the spinal cord often results in paralysis— a part or parts of the body become unable to feel sensation and cannot be moved.

The location of the injury determines which nerves are damaged and where paralysis will occur. If the injury occurs at the base of the neck, most of the nerves will be damaged, and most of the body will be paralyzed. If the injury occurs lower on the spinal cord, the nerves that are damaged may be only those for the genitals and legs, and paralysis will occur from the waist down to the toes. People with spinal cord injuries may have areas of skin that are still sensitive to touch, even if the areas are limited to the face.

Often, areas of the skin that were not very sensitive before an injury become erogenous zones after an injury. For example, breasts, neck, shoulders, or the face and lips may become more sensitive to sexual stimulation. Imagination may also become a more developed tool for sexual fulfillment.

Spinal cord injury in women often means that the genitals lose the ability to feel sexual pleasure. Women may experience diminished lubrication. Unless lubricants are used, vaginal tissue may be torn and infection may occur. Orgasms are also affected. Sexual positions are also limited for women with spinal cord injuries. Fertility, however, usually preserved.

Many men with spinal cord injuries are still able to have erections. However, many may not be able to feel their erections. Or their erections may not last for very long. Furthermore, the sexual positions that partners are able to take may be limited without the use of le or arms. Ejaculation is possible for some men, but not for others. Orgasm may take more of an emotional form than a physical or Fertility may also be affected.

For men, injections and special devices are available to help keep an erection for a longer period of time. Men who lose sensitivity in the genital area learn to find sexual pleasure from the touch of another erogenous zone.

Current research is looking at why some people with spinal cord injuries are still able to have orgasms. Our understanding of spinal cord injuries and sexuality is growing. New information about the anatomy of the spinal cord and our sexual nervous systems may provide more insight into the sex lives of people with spinal cord injuries as well as their partners. It is important for women and men with spinal cord injuries to know that they may be able to experience a great deal of pleasure during sexual activity.

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