Sexual function after spinal cord injury

[Northbynorthbreast]

19 weeks ago I was injured in an accident. I’ve recovered a lot of feeling but my genital area just feels a bit odd. I’ve tried to explore but I find the sensation sort of unpleasant or odd somehow. I’m so upset as I used to be a very organsic person and be quite comfortable in this area of my life. Anyone got experience of pleasure and sensation after a spinal injury?

Can I ask what the injury was? Did it involve spinal chord compression?

I suffered a compression impact fracture of L3 4yrs ago in a road accident and the injury caused a chord compression of about 60% (12mm to 5mm at the point of injury. What I'm about to describe doesn't involve any sexual sensations - genital area was and is fine. Certain sensations below the injury site felt vague for about 2 yrs - your "odd" describes it perfectly. If I was sitting legs up on a pouffe, or lying in bed for 2 examples, I used to focus on what I could feel... one leg on top of the other... how my feet felt in contact with each other... and there was a vagueness to it... like a radio not quite tuned in ? Everything worked as it should (apart from me crashing into the left side of doorways because my spine was no longer straight and I hadn't learned my new shape yet !!) but it just felt 'odd'. Things slowly got better and I assume that the slow improvement was the cord compression sorting itself out.

If you're experiencing a slow recovery in your situation I would say you're on the same path I was. If not then I would go and talk to your GP.

The body takes a long time to recover from major injuries and over about 2 years things sorted themselves out for me. Everything feels fine now with the exception of ongoing pain at the injury site - to be expected when someone hits you with a 2 tonne car at 50mph!!

Hope that helps mate.

@IsItWeekendYet1 thabks for replying. Soin cord compression from t11/12 fracture. Had rods put in. I can feel sensation in my bulbs etc but it feels in the wrong place or sort of stuck somehow. It’s odd and I don’t like it at all. Happy to hear things have settled down for you, that’s reassuring. I’m still fairly acute although able to leave hospital on visits etc

Youre fracture is right about where your penis function can be affected. If you can get an erection then that's a good start.
It's only been 19 weeks, so your body will still be healing and you'll still be very swollen. Nerves do grow back but really slowly at 1mm a month...if my memory serves me right.
Simulation will retrain your brain to how it's supposed to feel.

Please talk through your concerns with your Consultant and Physiotherapist and any other specialists you may have. Don’t be shy, they are used to helping people in your situation! Wishing you strength and patience as you continue your recovery. Xx

There are several groups set up for supporting patients after spinal injuries. Have you contacted the Spinal Injuries Association where contact with others in your locality might be able help you share your experiences and their paths to treatment and recovery.

www.spinal.co.uk/