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)