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Guide to Sexuality and Reproductive Health

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Guide to Sexuality and Reproductive Health Guide to Sexuality and Reproductive Health For adults with spinal cord injury, brain injury or stroke Using this Guide Living with an injury to the spinal cord or brain is difficult because it affects so many areas of everyday life. At first, we might not think about the real problems nervous system injuries cause with physical and emotional intimacy, relationships, and parenting. Because some of these areas can be hard to discuss even with people we trust, problems can go unaddressed. This guide will not answer every question you have, but it is a good place to begin looking for more information or starting a helpful conversation. Sexuality, relationships, and parenting are very connected to our values and beliefs. Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network will respect your identity, spirituality, and decisions within the bounds of what we are able to do. Froedtert & MCW health network works hard to create an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced to not only provide the you best care possible, but also to help people feel welcomed and accepted. The focus is on your recovery. Our goal is to give you a positive experience. Before participating in sexual activity, you should talk with your doctor or other healthcare team member about any restrictions (i.e. bracing, positioning or weight bearing restrictions, etc.) you may have because of your spinal cord injury, brain injury or stroke. Highlighted/bold words throughout this guide have definitions listed in the glossary. Please take the time to look these up if you need to have a clearer understanding of them. Contacting Froedtert & MCW Neurologic Rehabilitation We are here for you even after your hospital stay. Check back with us, talk to your medical providers, speak with people dealing with similar problems, or look online for even more information. New resources are always becoming available and existing ones are being updated. Here is how to contact us during regular business hours: Neurosciences Program Coordinator Froedtert Hospital 9200 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53226 414-805-2785 [email protected] © 2019 Froedtert Health. All Rights Reserved. Please contact the Neurosciences Program Coordinator for usage policy. Table of Contents Tab Contents SEXUALITY ¾ SEXUALITY ............................................................................................. 3 ¾ MYTHS ABOUT DISABILITY AND SEX .................................................... 3 HOW YOUR BODY WORKS ¾ CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ................................................................ 5 ¾ SEXUAL FUNCTIONING .......................................................................... 5 ¾ THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ..................................................... 6 ¾ MALE SEXUAL FUNCTIONING ............................................................... 6 Erection ............................................................................................ 6 Sensation.......................................................................................... 8 Orgasm ............................................................................................. 9 Fathering Children ............................................................................ 9 Ejaculation Assistance ...................................................................... 9 Sperm ............................................................................................. 10 ¾ THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM ............................................... 11 ¾ FEMALE SEXUAL FUNCTIONING ......................................................... 11 Vaginal Lubrication ......................................................................... 11 Sensation........................................................................................ 12 Orgasm ........................................................................................... 12 Menstruation .................................................................................. 13 Menopause ..................................................................................... 13 SEXUAL SAFETY ¾ SEXUAL SAFETY WITH A DISABILITY .................................................. 15 RELATIONSHIPS ¾ IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP .......................................................... 17 ¾ IF YOU ARE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP .................................................. 19 GETTING READY TO HAVE SEX ¾ WORRIES ABOUT SEX WITH A DISABILITY .......................................... 21 ¾ WHAT YOU WILL NEED BEFORE SEX ................................................... 23 ¾ WHAT YOU WILL NEED AFTER SEX ..................................................... 26 REPRODUCTION ¾ TYPES OF BIRTH CONTROL ................................................................. 27 ¾ A WOMAN’S PERIOD ............................................................................ 28 ¾ PREGNANCY ......................................................................................... 28 ¾ BREAST FEEDING ................................................................................. 32 PARENTING ¾ GETTING PHYSICALLY READY ............................................................. 33 ¾ SETTING UP THE ENVIRONMENT ........................................................ 34 ¾ HELPING CHILDREN UNDERSTAND DISABILITIES .............................. 35 ¾ CAN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ADOPT? .......................................... 36 FINAL THOUGHTS ¾ FINAL THOUGHTS… ............................................................................ 37 GLOSSARY ¾ GLOSSARY ............................................................................................ 39 REFERENCES ¾ REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 41 ¾ ABOUT THIS GUIDE ......................................................Inside Back Cover Page 1 SEXUALITY Sexuality Sexuality is part of who we are, how we think, and what we need. It is a larger concept than just having sex because it involves physical, mental, social, emotional and moral aspects. It is unique for each person and continues to evolve throughout our lives. After a spinal cord injury, stroke, or brain injury feeling anxious about sex and relationships is common. There are many stereotypes about what people with a disability can or should do. One way to begin developing more confidence and a positive view of yourself is to confront some common myths. Myths about Disability and Sex Page 3 NOTES ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Page 4 HOW YOUR BODY WORKS How Your Body Works Central Nervous System The central nervous system has two parts: the brain and spinal cord. The brain controls almost everything. It produces thoughts, feelings, and actions. It manages how your body works physically. You can think of the spinal cord as the main connection between the brain and body. It has millions of nerves that let the brain and body talk to each other. You need both systems to work well. Problems with either of them can significantly change how your mind and body work together. Peripheral Nervous System The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves outside of the central nervous system. These nerves branch out from the brain and spinal cord. They go out to other parts of the body, such as muscles and organs. Sexual Functioning There is usually some change to sexual functioning after a central nervous system injury, such as brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke. Sexual functioning is mental, emotional and physical. These often change after an injury. Relationships can and do adapt to sexual changes that may have occurred. Good communication and an open mind will help make those adjustments when needed. You can speak with your doctor, nurse, or any other rehabilitation team member at any time. It is not possible to know exactly how your body will work after an injury.
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