Impact of bladder management methods and other factors on sexual activity in women with chronic spinal cord injury/disease

This study investigates how different methods of bladder management affect sexual activity in women with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D). Catheterization, a common method for bladder evacuation, can sometimes interfere with sexual activity. The research compares women using intermittent catheterization (IC) and suprapubic catheters (SPC) to determine which group experiences more sexual activity and identifies factors that influence their sexual lives. The study found that women using IC are more likely to be sexually active compared to those with SPC. The main concerns differ between the groups: women using IC worry about urinary incontinence during sex, while those with SPC struggle with their self-image due to the catheter.

• 1
  Significantly more women using intermittent catheterization (IC) were sexually active compared to those with a suprapubic catheter (SPC).
• 2
  The main concern for women using IC was urinary incontinence during sex, while those with a SPC struggled with self-image due to the catheter.
• 3
  The median FSFI total score was significantly greater in the IC group compared to the SPC group, representing a lower grade of sexual dysfunction.