Effect of epidural spinal cord stimulation on female sexual function after spinal cord injury

Sexual dysfunction is a common issue for women after spinal cord injury (SCI). This study looked at whether epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) could help improve sexual function and reduce distress in women with SCI. Three women with long-term, complete SCI received ESCS for 13 months. They completed questionnaires about their sexual function and distress each month. The study found that ESCS may be a promising treatment for sexual dysfunction and distress in women with severe SCI. More research is needed to confirm these findings.

• 1
  There was a 3.2-point (13.2%) mean increase in total FSFI from baseline to post-intervention, with improvements in desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction.
• 2
  Sexual distress was reduced by 55%, with a mean decrease of 12 points (55.4%) from baseline to post-intervention.
• 3
  There was a clinically meaningful change of 14 points in the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury total sensory score from baseline to post-intervention.