Erectile dysfunction depending on the height and extent of spinal cord injury

The erectile dysfunction is a common consequence of a spinal trauma. The incidence of spinal cord injuries in the Czech Republic and

around the world has a slightly upward trend. From the epidemiological point of view the spinal trauma affects especially young people.

It represents a confining factor while planning a family and parenting. The paper presents a theoretical knowledge of the erectile function

supplemented by observations of own sample of patients. The sample group consisted of 93 patients after spinal trauma monitored

at the Urological Clinic of the St. Anna University Hospital in Brno. We used an anonymous questionnaire method specifically validated

IIEF-5 and non-standardized questionnaire of our own design. By evaluating the data, it was concluded that the extent of spinal cord

injuries (transversal vs. non-transversal) is a significant predicate of the erectile function and the frequency of intercourse. Transversal

spinal cord lesions, depending on the relevance of the injury are associated with a more negative prognosis of ED. It also associates the

less frequent sexual intercourse compared to patients with incomplete spinal cord lesion. The erectile function is independent from the

seriousness of the spinal cord lesion with patients who have incomplete lesion.

Keywords: transversal and non-transversal spinal cord injury, erectile dysfunction, frequency of intercourse