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Sexual Health

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Sexuality and Reproduction > Sexual Health

Many women with disabilities have active and satisfying sex lives. Their bodies may not respond in quite the same way as those without disabilities. For instance, a woman with a spinal cord injury may have no feeling in her vagina. But she can respond with pleasure to touch on upper parts of the body and even feel pleasure like orgasms.

If you have a disability, talk with your partner about any limitations you have and about ways in which you may respond to sexual stimulation. Good things to talk about are:

• where it is easiest to have sex—for instance, on the bed, in your wheelchair, or on the floor
• which positions are most comfortable and least likely to hurt
• how your disability affects how your body works
• how you can give each other pleasure
• what times of the day or week you are likely to have the most energy for sex (if you tire easily or use medicines that can lower your desire for sex)

People with an intellectual disability (who have trouble learning or understanding) also have a right to have a healthy sex life and have children if they want. They might not always understand what agreeing to have sex involves or appropriate sexual behavior. But through education and guidance, many adults with intellectual disabilities can have meaningful sexual relationships. Laws about sexual consent and sexual limits for people with intellectual disabilities vary from state to state. For more information on these issues in your state, please contact your state government.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Patient Information Sheet #10-Sexuality and Lupus - This publication gives information on some of the problems women with lupus may experience with the physical and emotional aspects of sex.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/lupusguide/chppis10.htm

2. Diabetes and Women's Sexual Health (Copyright © ADA) - Sex is an important part of life and relationships but diabetes can affect a woman's sex life. This publication covers what you should know about diabetes and women's sexual health.

   http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/women-sexual-health.jsp

3. Epilepsy and Sexual Relations (Copyright © Epilepsy Foundation) - This information sheet answers some common questions epileptics may have regarding sexual relations with their condition. Some of the topics discussed are seizures and pain during intercourse as well as how to talk to your doctor about it and seek therapy if needed.

   http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/dating/weisex.cfm

4. Fact Sheet: Sexuality and Intellectual Disability (Copyright © AAIDD) - This fact sheet provides answers to questions about sexuality and intellectual disability, such as do people with intellectual disabilities have sexuality and can they have children?

   http://www.aaidd.org/Policies/sexuality.shtml

5. Female Sexual Problems (Copyright © AAMFT) - This publication discusses female sexual dysfunction: what it is, what the causes are, and how to seek treatment.

   http://www.aamft.org/families/Consumer_Updates/FemaleSexualProblems.asp

6. A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities (Copyright © Hesperian Foundation) - This book is written for women with disabilities around the world. It contains chapters about understanding and taking care of your body, growing older with a disability, abuse, violence, self-defense, and much more.

   http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wwd.php

7. Sexuality for Women with Spinal Cord Injury (Copyright © The University of Alabama) - This publication discusses some of the common problems with sexuality that women with a spinal cord injury may experience. It discusses sexual function, arousal, fertility, orgasm, and other concerns or problems.

   http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=51275

Organizations

1. American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Resource Center
3. Center for Research on Women with Disabilities
4. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
5. Planned Parenthood Federation of America

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.