Building Romantic Relationships After Spinal Cord Injury

Marriage Rate Increases Over Time

Statistics show that, over time, people with SCI are more likely to get married.

In a study of people with SCI who had been injured for 40 years or more, 45.5% were married, 24.6% were single, and 20.2% were divorced.

This supports that it is possible to foster relationships after a spinal cord injury with the right support and resources.

Divorce Rate Increases Initially But Stabilizes Over Time

The first few years after a spinal cord injury can be challenging for married couples due to the stress of adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury, medical expenses, and uncertainty about the future.

As a result, married couples are 1.5-2.5 times more likely to divorce than the general population for the first 3 years after SCI.

However, divorce rates among people with SCI stabilize after the first few years. After 5 years, divorce rates of people with SCI return to the national average (40%).

This is likely because couples have had time to adjust to their new circumstances and have found ways to cope with the challenges of SCI.

Social Engagement Helps Prevent Divorce

Studies have shown that social engagement can reduce the risk of divorce for people with SCI by reducing social isolation and providing additional social support.

Maintaining social connections and receiving support from friends and family can help individuals with spinal cord injury and their partners cope with the challenges they face.

Having Children After SCI

Pregnancy Rate in SCI Women

While spinal cord injuries rarely impact women's fertility permanently, they may temporarily cause women to stop ovulating. However, most women with SCI can still conceive through sexual intercourse or in vitro fertilization.

In a study of 472 women who had been injured for more than a year, ~14% reported that they had become pregnant. However, the women with SCI tended to have more complications during delivery and their babies had a lower birth weight than average.

Fertility of SCI Men

Many men with SCI have trouble becoming erect and ejaculating, making it difficult or impossible to have children through traditional methods. Sperm count and sperm motility are often reduced in men with SCI, especially those who use catheters.

For men with SCI who want to have children, there are medical procedures and adaptive devices that help overcome these challenges. Semen retrieval and in vitro fertilization are a common approach. Read our article on Male Fertility after SCI for more information.

Sexual Challenges For Men With SCI

Men with spinal cord injuries often face challenges having sex due to a variety of factors, including erectile dysfunction, chronic pain, and incontinence.

Survey-based studies estimate that 30%-70% of SCI men are sexually inactive. Despite these challenges, men with SCI can enjoy fulfilling sexual relationships.

For example, there are adaptive devices and techniques available that can help men with SCI achieve and maintain erections. Many healthcare professionals specialize in sexual health for individuals with disabilities and can guide those who are struggling with sexual dysfunction.

Ultimately, it's important for men with SCI to communicate openly with their partners about their needs and concerns, and to work together to find solutions that work for both of them.