Sexual Health and Functioning in Stroke Rehabilitation
Summary
Stroke often disrupts sexual health through neurological damage, psychological sequelae and social barriers. Both male and female survivors report diminished libido, arousal difficulties and relational strain. Many rehabilitation programmes neglect sexual functioning despite its centrality to quality of life. Underlying mechanisms include lesion localisation, impaired motor control of pelvic and trunk muscles, hormonal changes and emotional distress such as anxiety or depression. Cultural taboos and lack of professional training further hinder open discussion. Emerging practice emphasises early assessment, inclusion of sexual counselling within multidisciplinary teams and tailored interventions combining physiotherapy, psychological support and partner involvement. Holistic approaches aim to restore physical capacity, address emotional well-being and normalise sexuality as part of comprehensive stroke rehabilitation.
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Sexual Health and Functioning in Stroke Rehabilitation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in sexual health and functioning in stroke rehabilitation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Sexual dysfunction: A broad term covering impairments in sexual desire, arousal, orgasm or satisfaction.
Biopsychosocial model: An integrative framework that considers biological, psychological and social influences on health.
Erectile dysfunction: The recurrent inability to attain or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
Trunk stability: The ability to control the position and movement of the torso, essential for posture and sexual activity.
PLISSIT model: A tiered approach (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) for addressing sexual concerns in healthcare settings.
References
- Community perceptions on the role of sexual activity on stroke: a qualitative study exploring the views of Ghanaian local community residents. BMC Public Health (2019).
- Health Care Professionals' Views on Discussing Sexual Wellbeing with Patients Who Have Had a Stroke: A Qualitative Study. PLOS ONE (2013).
- Significant Increase of Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Post-stroke: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Neurology (2021).
- Addressing the Gaps in Post-Stroke Sexual Activity Rehabilitation: Patient Perspectives. Healthcare (2019).
- Counselled Patients with Stroke Still Experience Sexual and Relational Problems 1–5 Years After Stroke Rehabilitation. Sexuality and Disability (2020).
- Talking about Sexuality in Stroke Individuals: The New Era of Sexual Rehabilitation. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2023).
- Relationship between Female Sexual Dysfunction and Trunk Stability Post-Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study. Medicina (2024).
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