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

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) profoundly affects both sexuality and urinary function. Catheterization is often necessary to manage bladder voiding and it can interfere with sexual activity.

AIM: We aim to investigate the effect of the bladder evacuation method on sexual activity in women with chronic SCI/D.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study at a specialized SCI/D rehabilitation center recruited women ≥18 years with chronic SCI/D using intermittent or suprapubic catheterization. We assessed sexual activity and sexual function with the German version of the Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a study-specific questionnaire.

OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was sexual activity and secondary outcomes included factors influencing sexual activity, such as age and SCI/D characteristics.

RESULTS

Around half of the evaluated women were sexually active, regardless of bladder evacuation method. However, significantly (P = .018) more women using intermittent catheterization (IC) (66.7%, 20/30) were sexually active compared to those with a suprapubic catheter (SPC) (29.4%, 5/17). The main concern for women using IC was urinary incontinence during sex (43.3%, 13/30), while those with a SPC struggled with self-image due to the catheter (58.8%, 10/17). Not having a partner was the most common reason for sexual inactivity in both groups (59.1%). The median FSFI total score was significantly (P = .049) greater in the IC group (median 26.4, lower quartiles [LQ] 8.9/upper quartiles [UQ] 28.8) compared to the SPC group (median 11.5, LQ 5.4/UQ 25.5), which represents a lower grade of sexual dysfunction in women using IC.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Sexual education is crucial and should be adapted to the different types of bladder management.

STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: This study shows first data on the effect of catheter on sexual activity in women. Limitation of our study is the small sample size and response bias by the high rejection rate of women with SPC.

CONCLUSIONS

Few women with SPC remain sexually active after SCI/D, while the majority of women using IC do, highlighting issues around self-image and urinary incontinence.