The brain is an integral part of our body and is responsible for controlling all the functions throughout our life. And so, the effects of brain damage or trauma can affect all the body mechanisms, and sometimes, its severity can even limit a person from being able to walk on his/her own. Brain-related problems also have a significant impact on a person's sexual health.
Brain damage can also make a man impotent and they may become unable to understand and express their physical or sexual needs. Regarding this, we spoke to Dr. Rahul Reddy, Consultant Microsurgical Andrologist, Hyderabad and he explains that brain trauma caused by a serious accident or disease can affect its actions and reactions in various ways. Most of the brain conditions are not inherent but are comorbid to certain infections or hypertension. Another cause can be damage to blood veins in the brain as a result of an accident. It is known as Cerebrovascular Injury and has a great impact on our body.
Dr. Reddy further explains how brain injuries can affect male sexual health. He says that in such situations, the part of the brain which informs the penis for stimulation in males is damaged and he becomes incapable of having a sexual relationship with the partner or becomes impotent. It is difficult to recover from such conditions. Also, if a person is under 40 years of age, the situation may be quite more disturbing as the inability to perform the sexual activity at a young age can further affect him mentally.
Changes in sexual behavior
Our expert explains how a brain injury due to an accident or illness can affect male sexual health.
- Loss of Libido
In the event of brain injury due to any reason, if that part of our brain is affected which controls love, physical connection, and sexual arousal, the sexual urge, and libido of the patient decrease. - Impotence and inability to Climax
Due to brain trauma, temporary or permanent impotence may occur. In addition, women and men who suffer from it also have problems achieving orgasm. At times, depression, stress, and problems in personal relationships can also reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse. - Brain trauma and physical problems
If the part of the brain responsible for sexual activity and stimulation gets damaged due to trauma or injury, a person may have problems in having sexual intercourse and even at times, the inability to make physical relations. A physically competent person may also experience malaise, anorexia, attraction, mania, and excitement over sexual relations. - Emotional effects
Stress, restlessness, and depression due to mental trauma also reduce interest in sexual relationships. - Medication
Medicines are given for severe brain problems also reduce sexual arousal and increase physical anorexia. - Other physical damage
In any accident, apart from the brain, organs that affect sexual activities may be injured, due to which sexual relations are affected. - Other diseases
If a person affected by brain trauma already has underlying medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. then the problem can increase even more.
Dr. Reddy explains that brain trauma or brain injury is a serious problem. Therefore, it is very important to take special care of such patients as it can affect their mental health as well. It is important to talk to them and understand their problems. Brain trauma can be treated, but its impacts on sexual health are not easy to reverse. Thus, regular counseling by an expert and following proper precautions and medications as directed by the doctor is necessary.
