PHYSIOLOGY

This section will be expanded in the future, but in brief, there are areas of sexuality that can undergo changes following brain or spinal cord impairment. This section will deal with the physiology of able- bodies and neurologically intact persons, so that the following sections on male, female and bladder changes to that sexuality and fertility can be better understood. Sexual interest in both men and women (the drive to engage in sexual activity) is a combination of biological factors (such as male hormone testosterone, concurrent illness, etc) and motivational factors ( what is the consequence and/or pay off in being sexual). Physiological arousal relates to erection in men and lubrication ( vaginal sweating) in women due to the increase in blood to the pelvis. Orgasm is the release of built up tension ( usually recognized as pleasurable), and is most often accompanied by ejaculation ( fluid expelled rhythmically from the end of the penis) in men. It is important to note that erection and ejaculation are two separate , albeit linked, processes, and men are able to ejaculate without an erection and vice versa.

Autonomic dysreflexia (sometimes called hyperreflexia) is unique to people with spinal cord injury above the T6 level and is a condition you should be aware of. It occurs when there is some stimulation below the level of your injury that causes part of your nervous system to respond in an uncontrolled way.