A spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause a loss of movement and feeling below the site of injury. You can get a spinal cord injury from a trauma, such as a car accident or a fall.
Spinal cord injuries are either complete or incomplete. A complete injury results in no feeling or movement below the site of the injury. An incomplete injury allows some feeling and movement. People with SCI also may have other problems, such as not being able to control urination and bowel movements. Those whose spinal cords are injured in the neck often need devices to help them breathe.
People living with SCI may need to change some aspect of their workplace or home to help them live with their disability. But many people with SCIs are able to lead full, productive lives.
Sexuality and Reproductive Health Following Spinal Cord Injury - This report provides information on the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on sexual functioning. It discusses fertility, pregnancy rates, male impotence, and live births in persons with SCI.
Spinal Cord Injury: Hope Through Research - This publication about spinal cord injury explains what happens when the spine is injured, how it is treated, how it affects the rest of the body, how rehabilitation can help, and what research is being conducted.
A federal government website managed by the
Office on Women's Health
in the
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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