Survival in marriage in the paraplegic couple: psychological study

In the study of sexual functions and marital relations in 16 couples involving a normal female and a paraplegic male, married following the injury, it was found that a major source of dissatisfaction on the part of the wives was their inability to become pregnant and bear children. Sexual relations were surprisingly of secondary importance. Common in all 16 couples was the almost total lack of knowledge on the part of the woman about the man's sexual capabilities and the effect of his injury on fertility. Premarital counselling seems to be of primary importance in assuring the survival of such marriages. It may be useful to suggest they have premarital experience. Later, counselling should include the importance and advantages of artificial insemination donor treatment as a solution to infertility.