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Sex and neurological disorders
Written by Dr David Delvin, GP and family planning specialist and Christine Webber, psychotherapist and lifecoach
What is a neurological disorder?
A neurological disorder is a disease or injury of the nervous system – which is the 'communications network' of the body. Common neurological disorders include strokes, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease and spinal injuries – usually caused by road accidents.
It is important to realise that the vast majority of sexual problems are not caused by any kind of neurological disease.
However, nerve disorders which can cause sexual difficulties include all the above conditions.
Strokes
Strokes (cerebrovascular accidents or CVAs) are tremendously common, and affect well over 100,000 people each year in the UK.
Many of them make a good recovery. Quite a few CVA survivors do want to continue with their sex lives – particularly men.
With the help of a cooperative and loving partner, it is often possible to continue with a reasonable amount of sexual activity, though lack of mobility may be a problem. Some couples successfully get round this with the use of vibrators.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson's disease
It causes trembling and incordination in various parts of the body. The difficulty in coordination may cause problems with intercourse, and sometimes with erection.
Fortunately, the oral treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) can help these patients, and they are not contraindicated in men with Parkinson's disease. Under the NHS regulations, these drugs are available free if you have Parkinson's disease.
Spinal injuries
Unfortunately, sexual function is very often affected. Men may lose the ability to get an erection – and obviously this may make it very difficult for them to have children.
However, many people with spinal injuries do manage to have a fairly active sex life – particularly if they have a considerate, loving and inventive partner.
Furthermore, the new drugs to treat ED will help many men who have sustained spinal trauma. NHS rules allow free prescription of these drugs if you have a spinal cord injury.
If the man wants to father children, this may well be possible using recently developed methods of obtaining sperm, such as electro-ejaculation – in which an electric stimulus is applied to the prostate area, via the rectum.
The cost of this treatment is considerable, but if you were injured in an accident through no fault of your own, your compensation payment may cover it.
Useful organisations
Parkinson's disease is extremely common, and has become more so as people have started to live longer.
Serious spinal injuries – most commonly sustained in traffic, riding or aircraft accidents – are likely to cause paralysis and loss of sensation in regions of the body below the level of the damage to the spinal cord.
Organisations which can provide further information that may help your sex life include:
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