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ERECTIONS
Erections
A male with SCI may, or
may not, be able to achieve erection. The level, severity, time elapsed, and
type of the injury may determine this.
 | Level: Generally, a complete lower
level injury precludes the ability to have erections. However, persons with an
upper level injury usually can have erections. In general, the higher the
injury, the more chance of achieving and maintaining a complete erection.
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| Severity: If the injury is incomplete,
there is a better chance for a complete erection. |
| Time Elapsed Since Injury: Men who are
unable to have an erection shortly after the injury may regain the capability
during the first year. |
| Type: Spastic paraplegics, for example,
have a much greater chance of achieving an erection than individuals with
flaccid paraplegia. |
There are two types of
erections:
| Psychogenic erections result when
messages are passed down the spinal cord from the brain to the sacral area.
Depending on the level and completeness of the injury to the spinal cord, men
with SCI may or may not experience psychogenic erections.
In men with lower
level injuries, researchers report that up to 83% with incomplete lower
level injuries had psychogenic erections and up to 26% of men with complete
lesions have psychogenic erections.
In men with
incomplete upper level injuries, up to 25% can achieve psychogenic
erections. |
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Reflexogenic erections
result from direct stimulation of the genital area. They are called
reflexogenic because they are controlled by a reflex arc between the genital
area and the cord.
In men with upper level
injuries, researchers report that up to 98% of men with incomplete upper
level injuries have reflexogenic erections and up to 93% of men with
complete upper level injuries have reflexogenic erections. 7% do not have
erections. |
Spontaneous erections may be
experienced by spinal cord injured men.
Source
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SCI Health Issues
