title: Spina bifida and sexuality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate sexual function amongst adult individuals with spina bifida and to register their subjective satisfaction with their sexual life and relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department for Spinal Cord Injuries, East Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study. Medical record information, neurological examination, personal interview, Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM), Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) on quality of life, and questions on sexual function and related topics. Study cohort: Fifty-three participants (27 women, 26 men) with spina bifida (mean age 27.1, range 18-35) years. Response rate 74%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-one percent of subjects regarded their sexual life as a failure or dysfunctional. However, 45% reported being satisfied with their sexual life. Participants with partners were more satisfied with their sexual life than those without partners. Faecal, but not urinary, incontinence was associated with poorer sexual function and less satisfaction. Forty-nine percent of subjects indicated that the sexual education they received at puberty was useful; however, 32% lacked knowledge about their sexual functioning with regard to their disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for further sexual education and counselling for adults with spina bifida in order to improve their sexuality and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Spinal Cord Injuries, Glostrup University Hospital, Havnevej 25, 3100 Hornbaek, Denmark. michael.von.linstow@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Michael Ernst
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: von Linstow
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Biering-Sørensen
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liebach
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Aase
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seitzberg
authors.forename: Rikke Bølling
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Fin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biering-Sørensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003376:Counseling; D003718:Denmark; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult