Sexuality and spinal cord injury

Abstract

In the United States, more than 250,000 people are living with spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is most often the result of direct trauma to the spinal cord, but can also be associated with congenital or degenerative disease. These individuals experience physical and psychologic consequences that have a profound impact on their sexual health. Using a holistic, developmental, team approach to care, the nurse is well positioned to address the acute and long-term sexual rehabilitation needs of the SCI patient. By assisting SCI patients through the grieving process and promoting a positive, yet realistic, self-concept, nurses can mitigate potential problems in body image disturbances, decreased self-esteem, and gender-specific sexuality issues.