Sexual Activity After Stroke

Sexual Activity After Stroke


Many questions about sexuality can come up after having a stroke, such as body changes, fertility, sexual activity, and relationships. Your sexuality can be expressed in many ways, and it is important to find what works for you in your recovery.

Changes in sexual function after stroke 

Sexual functioning is the body’s response of arousal, erection, ejaculation, lubrication, or orgasm. These may change after stroke, and will vary from person to person. Different medical, physical, and psychological changes can have an impact.

Medical
Stroke can cause changes to areas of the brain used in sexual functioning. Medicines, medical treatments, and medical issues other than stroke may also be affecting your interest or ability to take part in sexual activities. Stopping medicines can be dangerous, so talk to your doctor about a plan first.

Physical
You may have changes after stroke that impact your mobility, your senses, or how your bowel or bladder functions. You may need to adjust how you take part in sexual activity, such as trying new positions, using adaptive equipment, planning around your bowel or bladder program, and managing pain or spasticity (muscle tightness or spasms). Some people may also be at higher risk for infection, falls, or incontinence. 

Psychological
Many people have changes in their thinking or mood after a stroke, including feeling sad, worried, frustrated, guilty, or embarrassed. People can also have changes to how they feel about their body, their self-image, or their role in relationships. These feelings can impact their interest or how they take part in sexual activities.

Although these topics can be challenging or uncomfortable, dealing with them is a part of stroke recovery. Most often, sexual problems after a stroke are “thinking” problems, rather than “doing” problems. Talk to your treatment team about how to address your concerns with your sexual function. There are treatments and strategies that can help. 

Having a sexual relationship

If you have or are seeking a partner, consider how to find comfortable ways to express intimacy together. Open communication with your partner and being willing to try new things will be helpful. 

Start slowly and have patience. You may find that what you preferred before is less enjoyable, so focus on exploring what feels good to you now. Knowing that stroke can cause problems with communicating, make sure that both partners are able to clearly consent before and during all sexual activities. 

For most people, sexual behaviors do not increase the risk of having another stroke. Before becoming sexually active again, talk to your doctor about any future risk of stroke, as well as any issues of fertility, contraception, and preventing sexually transmitted infections.


© 2006 – July 13, 2021, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.