Sexual function in females with severe cervical spinal cord injuries: a controlled study with the Female Sexual Function Index

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the sexual adjustment of females with severe cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The 19-item questionnaire of the FSFI concerns sexual function and satisfaction in sex life. This study, conducted by the Orthopaedic and Psychiatry Departments of Patras University, used a sample of a series of 39 consecutive female patients with severe traumatic SCI. We compared these female patients with an age-economic-educational level- and marital status-matched control group of the general population. Sexual activity was lower among females with SCI, but the desire, the emotional quality of sex life and overall sexual satisfaction did not differ from the controls. These results demonstrate that sexual life in females with SCI remains almost unaffected.