Question
...for lack of a better phrase.  So I've asked John McKinzie (other expert) and I actually AM the third expert- figured I'd let you in on the question in hopes of a better answer? apologies for the copy-n-paste here:
Hi- I have had a c7 SCI since '95 and have adapted in most ways to life in the chair (not much choice, huh?).  I finished college, had boyfriends and jobs and all the usual stuff, then got married almost 3 years ago.  My questions concern SCI and possible effects on hormones or arousal, etc,  AND the ability to have sexual pleasure. (I'm female, I should mention)
Husband and I have some issues- he's had a couple of years now with bad anxiety and depression but is finally getting a bit better with meds.  I however seem to have lost whatever sex drive I used to have.  I'm trying to figure out if my physical situation has something to do with this, or if it is interpersonal entirely.  Do you know if hormones are different in people with SCI?  Especially women, I suppose, as few things seem to decrease them in men... (kidding, mostly)
The other thing is the ability to reach orgasm- I know the procedure for men (i guess since there's so many more men with SCI?) but I don't know if women have the same potential as before SCI?  I know I can still feel good, but I think it mostly is happening in my brain.  Not to diminish the brain's role, of course, I'm all for it-- but physically is there a difference now vs before?

It seems ridiculous that I've lived with this for so long and don't know already, but fresh out of the hospital I asked something similar on a disability magazine forum website and got "devotees" sending me photos and such and it totally freaked me out... Better late than never, though, right?  Any info beyond the basics would be great, and thanks for putting up with my bad jokes.  Typewritten humor is difficult.
L

Answer
As a male with SCI, I have done some research in this area of dysfunction for myself and as a Hospital Liaison, I have looked into this area for others.

The hormone levels (testosterone) for SCI men decreases but I haven't seen any literature that says anything similar happening in women.  Since I don't know what age you are, I can't say whether or not menopause is a contributor to the lack of sex drive.  The two C-7 female quadriplegics that I know both have said that their arousal and orgasms are different than before the SCI but that everything still works, so to speak.  Since the majority of arousal is mental, it seems that SCI has a smaller impact on female sexuality than it does on males.

There are two articles that might be helpful.  They appeared in the PN (Paraplegic News) Magazine back in 2001 and I'm sure that reprints are available.  I've listed them below.

The New Female Sexuality: Part 1
(PN March 2001 Volume#55, Issue#3)
As this new field of study unfolds, women with spinal-cord injury have many reasons to be enthusiastic.

The New Female Sexuality: Part 2
(PN April 2001 Volume#55, Issue#4)
As they learn about the body, scientists are rethinking the types and roots of sexual dysfunction in women. What's new in the rush to find effective treatments for problems in women with SCI?

The magazines are available at www.pvamagazines.com.  Other articles may have appeared in New Mobility magazine.

Thanks for your question.  I hope that my answer was helpful.