Yes, it is still possible for men to have sex and to get their partners pregnant after surviving a spinal cord injury (SCI). However, engaging in sexual relations after sustaining an SCI will be a different experience than what people have done before the injury. Loss of sensitivity, muscle movement, and sexual reflexes often result from sustaining an SCI. However, the impact the injury has on a person’s fertility and ability to achieve arousal and orgasm will vary depending on the location and severity of his or her injury.

Sexual function after spinal cord injury is among the primary obstacles to fertility for both men and women. These issues can include a lack of desire and sexual sensations that result in decreased self-esteem. For men, SCIs can result in a loss of the ability to get or hold an erection and to ejaculate. This means that they may not be able to get their partner pregnant if they have issues sustaining an erection. However, there are alternative options and therapy, including penis pumps or electrostimulation to facilitate an erection or ejaculation.

For women, lubricants can help them to safely have sex and to help sperm travel more efficiently. There are other alternative ways to get pregnant, including intrauterine insemination, in-vitro fertilization, hormonal treatments, and medications, or even surgery to clear blocked fallopian tubes or to remove uterine scar tissue or fibroid.