Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effect of Exercise on Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Interest for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many studies on spinal cord injury and sexuality have been conducted over the years. However, to date, no one has studied the influence of exercise on sexuality for individuals with spinal cord injury. This project examined the impact of an 8-week exercise intervention on sexual interest and sexual satisfaction for individuals with SCI. Participants were surveyed prior to the exercise intervention (pre-test), after the 8-week intervention (post-test), and at 3 month follow up. There was little change between the three time-points which may indicate that exercise does not impact sexual interest and sexual satisfaction for individuals with SCI. Further research on the subject is needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  1. Alexander, C.J., Sipski, M.L., Findley, T.W.: Sexual activities, desire, and satisfaction in males pre- and post-spinal cord injury. Arch. Sex. Behav. 22(3), 11 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Anderson, K.D., et al.: The impact of spinal cord injury on sexual function: concerns of the general population. Spinal Cord 45(5), 328–337 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Comarr, A.E.: Sexual function among patients with spinal cord injury. Urol. Int. 25(2), 134–168 (1970)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Sipski, M.L., Arenas, A.: Female sexual function after spinal cord injury. Prog. Brain Res. 152, 441–447 (2006)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Burns, S.M., et al.: Sexual desire and depression following spinal cord injury: masculine sexual prowess as a moderator. Sex Roles A J. Res. 61(1–2), 120–129 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sipski, M.L., Alexander, C.J.: Sexual activities, response and satisfaction in women pre- and post-spinal cord injury. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 74(10), 1025–1029 (1993)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Black, K., et al.: Sexual satisfaction and sexual drive in spinal cord injured women. J. Spinal Cord Med. 21(3), 240–244 (1998)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Denil, J., Ohl, D.A., Smythe, C.: Vacuum erection device in spinal cord injured men: patient and partner satisfaction. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 77(8), 750–753 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Hultling, C., et al.: Quality of life in patients with spinal cord injury receiving VIAGRA® (sildenafil citrate) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Spinal Cord 38(6), 363–370 (2000)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Krucoff, C., Krucoff, M.: Peak Performance How a regular exercise program can enhance sexuality and help prevent prostate cancer. Am. Fit. 18(6), 32–37 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Belardinelli, R., et al.: Effects of short-term moderate exercise training on sexual function in male patients with chronic stable heart failure. Int. J. Cardiol. 101(1), 83–90 (2005)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Khoo, J., et al.: Comparing effects of low-and high-volume moderate-intensity exercise on sexual function and testosterone in obese men. J. Sex. Med. 10(7), 1823–1832 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lorenz, T.A., Meston, C.M.: Exercise improves sexual function in women taking antidepressants: results from a randomized crossover trial. Depress. Anxiety 31(3), 188–195 (2014)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Bortz, W., Wallace, D.H.: Physical fitness, aging, and sexuality. West. J. Med. 170(3), 167 (1999)

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Frauman, D.C.: The relationship between physical exercise, sexual activity, and desire for sexual activity. J. Sex Res. 18(1), 41–46 (1982)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bachmann, G.A., et al.: Correlates of sexual desire in post-menopausal women. Maturitas 7(3), 211–216 (1985)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Pal, A., et al.: Wheelchair exercise monitor development platform—an application for wireless EMG sensors. In: SENSORNETS 2018 (2018)

  18. Flynn, K.E., et al.: Development of the NIH PROMIS® Sexual Function and Satisfaction Measures in Patients with Cancer. J. Sex. Med. 10(S1), 43–52 (2013)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Rehabilitation Counselling, Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Roxanna N. Pebdani

  2. California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA

    Jesus Leon, Deborah S. Won, Christine J. Dy, Ray D. deLeon & Stefan Keslacy

Authors
  1. Roxanna N. Pebdani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jesus Leon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Deborah S. Won
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Christine J. Dy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ray D. deLeon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Stefan Keslacy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roxanna N. Pebdani.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval

This research was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the institution where the research was conducted. Study participants were consented four times: prior to undertaking the study, at baseline testing (pre-test), post-test, and follow up.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pebdani, R.N., Leon, J., Won, D.S. et al. The Effect of Exercise on Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Interest for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Sex Disabil 38, 597–602 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09654-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-020-09654-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation