Lecture Notes

There are a number of physical limitations which affect sexual health. For men with spinal cord injuries they are able to have a full or partial erections and some may even ejaculate, but the orgasmic feelings accompany ejaculation are generally absent. Women with spinal cord injuries do not experience orgasm but are able to experience sensuous feelings in other parts of the body. The injury does not affect their fertility, and women can have painless childbirth, but forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or caesarean section may be necessary. Individuals with vision and hearing impairments may have communication difficulties within their sexual relationships due to a lack of visual and auditory skills. However, they may overcome these with education or counseling depending on the circumstances.