Normal sex after stroke is possible

Normal sex after stroke is possible

JAKARTA (JP): The 42-year-old Roy thought life would never be
the same again after he had a stroke two months ago and had to
spend four days in hospital.

Despite his recovery, he had difficulties moving his left
hand, had problems speaking and felt that he had become
handicapped. Soon, he lost confidence in himself and -- to quote
an Indonesian saying sudah jatuh ditimpa tangga (misfortune comes
after another misfortune) -- he became impotent. In short, his
own prophecy came true: His life was no longer the same, at least
in terms of his sexual relationship with his wife.

His wife Sinta, fortunately, encouraged him to see a sex
therapist. With strong motivation and discipline, Roy finally
regained his "lost paradise".

Roy's case is categorized as after-stroke's indirect effect.

A stroke can't cause impotency. Damage to the
muscle movement center in the brain doesn't harm the sexual
activity center which is located in the limbic system.

"As long as the sensation system works normally, there is no
direct relation between a stroke and impotency," said
psychiatrist and sex therapist Naek L. Tobing.

However, according to a recent survey by Naek, 47 percent of
his 32 respondents who have suffered strokes, said that they
stopped having sex after their stroke.

"The reasons behind their problem could be different from
Roy's. They could be due to impotency, a poor erection which
cannot lead to intercourse or a lack of libido," he said.

"If it's not the genital sensation system which is attacked,
it is still possible to cure sexual impotency because usually it
is caused by psychological problems," Naek said at a seminar
tenuously entitled "Stroke, A Threat to City People's Life
Style", held recently by Tiara magazine.

A stroke victim who cannot perform sexual intercourse,
therefore, must check if there is any other cause such as:
hardening of the arteries in penis which block blood circulation
and results in problems getting an erection, low libido,
depression, usage of medicines which hamper sex drive, lack of
cooperation from sexual partner and fear that sexual intercourse
will lead to another stroke.

Naek said a stroke victim who has not been able have sex two
months after recovery should have a medical examination. If
impotency is not treated, arteries in penis could permanently
harden.

Masturbation is suggested for men with uncooperative
partners. (als)