The sexuality of spinal cord injured women: physiology and pathophysiology. A review.

After a review of the literature concerning sexuality in spinal cord injured women, the authors studied the female paraplegic sexual responses, dependent on the different levels of injury, above thoracic 10; between thoracic 10 and thoracic 12; and distal to thoracic 12. Allowing for specific sexual differences, genito-sexual innervation appears to be analogous in males and in females. Sexual behaviour is, above all, determined by several neuro-psychological reactions. Pregnancy and delivery are also discussed according to the different levels of spinal cord injury. It is noted that the paraplegic mother and the fetus are exposed to additional risks during pregnancy. During delivery, two problems are considered, autonomous dysreflexia and caesarean section.