Spinal Cord Injury Information

I sincerely hope the information presented will be useful and help you and yours cope with this devastating injury.

If you do not find a subject shown here, please let me know and I will certainly try to research the information and present it on this website in continuing updates.

SCI INFORMATION, Changes

This important section is devoted to the changes that take place in the SCI body, and includes important information on the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the psychology and psychosocial adjustment of the SCI, even sexuality, sex after SCI.

The Male Sex Organs

The List Below Provides A Description

  Scrotum - A sack-like piece of skin to house and protect the testes.

  Testes - These egg-shaped organs produce and secrete the male sex hormone testosterone. They also produce sperm.

  Epididymis - A storage place for sperm.

  Vas Deferens - One of the narrow tubes through which sperm travels to exit the body.

  Seminal Vesicles - These two small glands add fluid to the sperm.

  Prostate Gland - A small gland shaped like a walnut that adds more fluid to the sperm. This gland is found just below the bladder. The urethra passes through it.

  Ejaculatory Duct - Close to the time of ejaculation, semen (both the fluid and the sperm) moves through this small passageway. From there it goes into the urethra.

  Cowper’s Gland - After a man becomes sexually excited, these two pea-sized glands secrete a small drop of fluid. This fluid allows the sperm safe and easy passage through the urethra.

  Urethra - During ejaculation, this tube acts as a passageway for the sperm to exit the body. It also carries urine out of the body.

  Penis - This houses the urethra through which sperm passes. Erection assists in depositing of sperm effectively.

  The changes after SCI are by and large in erection, ejaculation, and lubrication. The lack of, or decrease in, feeling and movement may also change the sexual experience for you.

  There are two types of erections that for the most part occur at just about the same time. Since each is produced through different parts of the spinal cord, we need to speak about them separately.

  Psychogenic Erections - These erections occur by thinking (fantasy, seeing a good looking person, or reading sexually explicit material) and then becoming sexually excited. If your SCI is in the lower lumbar or sacral area and is incomplete, you may be able to have a psychogenic erection. If you have an incomplete injury above the T12 level, psychogenic erections may still sometimes occur.

  Reflexogenic Erections - These erections occur through a reflex mechanism in the sacral part of your spinal cord. Your brain plays no part in getting this type of erection. All you need is an intact functioning reflex system at Sacral two, three, or four segments of the spinal cord. This is present in Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) spinal cord injuries. Any type of stimulation to the scrotum, penis, or anus may cause this type of an erection. Perhaps you’ve noticed this when you wash or apply your condom catheter.

  If you have difficulty getting erections or the erections you get are less complete or long-lasting than you wish, check with your health care provider.