It is important not to allow a spinal cord injury (SCI) to prevent a healthy sexual relationship Sexuality, at its core, refers to a relationship between two people. This means that both parties bring something to the partnership. Focusing on one side of the relationship can never give a full...
Sexuality
True or false? Sex and spinal cord injury
For an SCI individual, the myths about sex can be particularly worrying. Counselling psychologist MARTELEZE VAN GRAAN sets out to dispel them Sexual rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries involves educating and empowering them to have a fulfilling and satisfying sexual experience – and each person’s experience is unique....
Sex and the SCI
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can disrupt an individual’s sex life, but with rehab and an informed approach, the obstacles can be overcome Sexuality, in general, describes how a person goes about expressing himself or herself as a sexual being. Sexuality and sexual expression are an integral part of a person’s...
Asked and answered
Among other considerations, people with spinal cord injury have questions about one of our most important human behaviours – sex! Spinal cord injury almost inevitably affects sexual behaviour, because sexual response often depends on “messages” travelling via the spinal cord, and SCI can block those messages. But although SCI presents...
Great sexual health websites
Sex online? There’s a wealth of useful information available – at the click of a mouse Here are some social media and reputable websites, which are good sources of information: Dating Paraplegics: The Ultimate Guide (Streetsie.com/dating-paraplegics-guide) This website is a great read for anyone dating a wheelchair user. Here are...
Date night
The best things don’t always happen spontaneously – most events need planning, reservations, parking and access. But that doesn’t rule out a date night! I asked newly married Nonhlanhla Bakasa to tell me what she and her husband Clinton do for “togetherness fun”. Nonhlanhla is an adrenaline junkie and nothing...
Sexy surprise
With a little planning, there are lots of ways that you can have unexpected fun in the bedroom! Spark your sexual senses Get a massage, take a bubble bath, read a sexy story or watch an erotic film. Better yet, do it together. Stash a sex kit under your bed...
Sexually transmitted infections
In this second part of a two-part series, our resident sexologist shares more info on an important topic. Dear Dr Elna Q: How many infections are there? A: It doesn’t really matter how many infections are out there. It matters more that as a group, they are really easy to...
Let’s talk about sex
Sexually transmitted infections are more common – and more easily managed – than you might think . ELNA MCINTOSH responds to readers’ queries Dear Dr Elna Q: I am interested in becoming sexually intimate with someone, and I am having a hard time finding out more about sexually transmitted diseases....
Play with your food!
Your mom probably never told you this, but actually food and sex go hand in hand It’s true: they are both sensual delights that activate our pleasure sensors. So why not put the best of both worlds together tonight? Serving up a buffet in the bedroom requires a little creativity...