This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Managing Bowel Function After Spinal Cord Injury. Zach Young, SCI Survivor, discusses Dating and Sex.

Zach Young: I had a hard time talking about my bowel movements with, you know, with whoever I was in a relationship with at those times. You know, I think I basically lead them on to know that, you know, as far as – as much detail as I gave them is that I needed time in the mornings in the bathroom and I couldn’t be bothered for a while. It’s a hard subject to really bring up with somebody in a relationship, you know? I think overall you’re eventually going to have to kind of share those kind of things, you know, and it’s important but it’s hard to do sometimes.

Patty Zuba: We do talk about bowel issues related to sex because it is important to be aware of. A lot of times, when you’re in sexual encounters, you’re stimulated in all areas and especially if you have somebody who’s on top or pressing down on the stomach or the abdomen, that can also cause bowel issues.

Tom Hoatlin: Like I’m dating someone new right now and we haven’t really gotten to the point where we’ve been intimate and I dread having to talk about it, but you have to talk about it because there’s a slight chance that something could happen while you’re being intimate because your body is charged up and maybe your bowels begin to move, et cetera.

Dr. Denise Tate: Exactly.

Tom HoatIin: I haven’t heard about many people walking away from a dating situation because of —

Dr. Denise Tate: Fear.

Tom Hoatlin: Once they find out about the bowel program. I’ve even had people say well, can I help you with that? Do you need help?

Dr. Denise Tate: That’s good. That’s good. Yeah.

Tom Hoatlin: So communication is the most important part. Yeah.

Visit https://msktc.org/sci and get the answers you need from experts who conduct innovative and high-quality research, provide patient care, and work to improve the health and overall quality of life for people with spinal cord injury. That’s https://msktc.org/sci.