Orgasm in women with spinal cord injuries: a laboratory-based assessment

Abstract

Objective: To understand the characteristics and physiological sexual responses of women with spinal cord injuries (SCI) during orgasm.

Design: Controlled laboratory-based analysis of women's physiological and subjective responses during a single session in which they attempted to perform stimulation to orgasm.

Setting: The sexual physiology laboratory at our free-standing rehabilitation hospital.

Participants: A volunteer sample of 25 women with SCI and 10 able-bodied control subjects, matched for age.

Intervention: A 75-minute protocol designed to obtain information on the physiological events accompanying orgasm.

Dependent variables: Included vaginal pulse amplitude, heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, subjective arousal and subscores on the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI).

Results: Data were analyzed both within and across neurological groups: complete SCI, incomplete SCI, and able-bodied controls. All able-bodied subjects achieved orgasm whereas 52% of SCI subjects achieved orgasm. Degree and type of SCI did not significantly relate to subjects' ability to achieve orgasm. Subjects with no lower extremity function took significantly longer than able-bodied subjects to achieve orgasm. Differences between baseline and orgasm readings are described for each of the major physiological measures. Results of DSFI revealed that able-bodied subjects acknowledged greater sexual satisfaction than SCI subjects. Subjects who achieved orgasm scored higher on sexual information and sex drive.

Conclusion: Results support previous self-report studies, in that a large percentage of SCI women achieved orgasm regardless of pattern or degree of neurological injury. No consistent characteristics were identified that would allow prediction of which women with SCI would be able to experience orgasm. However, subjects who achieved orgasms had a higher sex drive and greater sexual knowledge. Implications for sex therapy treatment programs with spinal cord injured women are discussed.