Sections
Sexual Dysfunction: Introduction | Sexual Response Models | Sexual Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology | Review of Research Literature | Clinical Evaluation | Clinical Management | Conclusion | Key Clinical Points | Recommended Readings | References
Excerpt
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may adversely affect
the expression of sexuality and/or sexual functions because
of a variety of different factors. A TBI may affect myriad aspects
of functioning germane to sexual expression, including cognitive,
emotional, behavioral, physical, and psychosocial functioning. The
complexity of these factors, not only singly but also integrated
into their influence on human behavior, presents clinical assessment
and treatment challenges as well as methodological challenges for
research (Sandel et al. 2007). Brain injury may produce
sexual dysfunction at the genital level as well as adversely affect
expression of sexuality at the nongenital level. Ultimately, the
mediating factors in these functional alterations include disruption
of neuroanatomical pathways or aberrations in neurophysiological
function, or both, as a result of the TBI. To better comprehend
the effect of brain injury on sexuality, one must first understand
the basic neuroanatomical pathways and neurophysiological mechanisms
that are involved in the mediation of sexual function.