Doesn't everyone deserve to feel happy in thier intimate relationships ? (regardless of stroke!)

Margaret McGrath
Margaret McGrathon Friday, June 23 2017
4 Comments

Doesn’t everyone deserve to feel happy in their intimate relationships?   (regardless of a stroke!)

 

Sexuality can mean different things for different people e.g., intimacy, relationships, communication, sexual expression, sexual orientation, identity and roles, how attractive you feel and starting a family.

 

 

It can be a hard topic to talk about. In society, there are myths about how people are expected to behave. For example:

  • “older people are not intimate” or
  • “only men care about sex”
  • “people with disabilities are not intimate”.

 

We know that after stroke, people still want to:

  • feel good and look attractive,
  • be affectionate with their partner
  • be intimate with their partner
  • meet new romantic partners
  • talk about difficulties in these areas
  • and feel connected to others.

 

But stroke can make this very challenging

 

 

Many people have difficulties with sexuality after stroke.

For people with aphasia, it is hard to raise the topic.

Health professionals often do not talk about it.

And in Australia,  less than twenty percent of stroke survivors receive information about sexuality after stroke as part of their rehabilitation. 

 

If you have concerns about intimacy and sexuality after stroke you are not alone. 

 

Be part of our study! We want people with stroke  and their partners to help us. Tell us what is important to include in a stroke sexuality / intimacy education package. You can find more information here (https://strokefoundation.org.au/What-we-do/Research/Research-projects-seeking-consumers

 

We can then help more people feel better about this part of their lives.

 

4 Responses
Nina Wilde avatar
Nina Wilde

Certainly - intimacy and sexuality is a part of the bigger picture once home.

 

 

Margaret McGrath avatar
Margaret McGrath

Thanks for the positive comments Susan - we know that most health professionals don't ask stroke survivors or their partners about intimacy or sexuality during rehabilitation. Often the reasons health professionals give for this silence is that they don't know what to say or what information might be helpful. We are hoping to change this through our research and would be delighted to hear from any stroke survivors or partners of stroke survivors about what is important and when services should be provided. Please do consider participating in our research - we won't be asking about your own personal experiences but rather asking you to advise us about key topics, which professionals should be addressing these topics and how the information should be provided. If you would like further information please do contact me at margaret.mcgrath@sydney.edu.au 

benwills63 avatar
benwills63

This information is really helpful. I had left side stroke in April 2014, had 11 months in wheelchair and now walking competently, achieving 2 out of 3 left arm goals, nearly 3 and am really pleased. The Stroke has affected our intimacy, though have read the enableme  info and is helping. Still waiting after 3 years to be fully intimate. My wife thinks she will cause some other damage,which is not true so we keep progressing  together,it's a long patient road!!.

Toni avatar
Toni

Hee hee, this made me laugh as it reminded me of when I first had my stroke. I never received any rehab etc following my stroke so I was googling everything I could. On of the first things I checked up on was how long after a stoek could I have sex (it was the second thing after when would I be allowed to drive). My husband went to work and told his workmates about my research and they made out like he was a hero. He thought it was quite funny when I became indignant abut that and said surely it make me the hero not him. The things we find humour in  :)

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