Women’s Sexuality Post Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that results in a sudden life change that is difficult to conceptualise. No one can truly be prepared for such a huge shock. It impacts a person not just physically and neurologically, but also socially, emotionally and psychologically. Recovering from SCI has been likened to a “rebirth”. A person needs to reconstruct even the most basic activities of daily living. Sexuality, being an integral part of every person’s life, is also part of this reconstruction process.
Although women with spinal cord injuries have reported enablers, they have also reported numerous barriers and unique concerns related to their sexuality post injury. Despite these concerns, the literature indicated that women are less likely than men to receive adequate sexual rehabilitation and counselling. Consequently, as part of my master degree at Curtin University, I conducted qualitative exploratory research aimed to capture the experiences of women post-SCI through a postmodern feminist framework. My research explored both the barriers and enablers women encountered in reconstructing a satisfying sexual identity.
Five women were recruited: four women with quadriplegia and one woman with paraplegia. Semi structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and then analysed using Summary Oral Reflective Analysis (SORA). The findings of this study supported the theory that social and cultural factors were most significant for women in their efforts to reconstruct their sexual identity. Approaching sexuality from solely a pathophysiological or biological perspective overlooked the sexual concerns of women post injury.
Information gained from this study will contribute to a growing awareness and knowledge for the professional development of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) regarding the importance of sexuality and the unique sexuality concerns women have post-SCI.
