A cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke is one of the most common traumatic diseases in the world today that can lead to death or long-term physiological or psychological disability. The level of disabling features that each person experiences following a CVA can range from barely noticeable signs to the extreme loss of functional ability. Sexual functioning in stroke survivors is an area in the rehabilitation program that has often been overlooked or neglected. Available information and research regarding sexual dysfunction in stroke survivors are also very limited.
The purpose of this study is to examine the problem of sexual dysfunction within the stroke patient population. The procedure being used to perform this study will be a review of the literature focusing on the epidemiology of a stroke, the physiological changes in sexuality with aging, the probable causes of sexual dysfunction with stroke, sexual functioning in post-stroke patients, and prevention and treatment for sexual dysfunction. The desired outcome is to increase the cognizance of healthcare providers to the problem of sexual dysfunction with stroke
