The sexuality of the disabled is still taboo. Contrary to the common sense that people with special needs have an inactive sex life due to their own limitations, the postdoctoral work of the psychologist at Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Ana Cláudia Bortolozzi Maia, points out that this population is interested sexual, but still comes up against orientation difficulties.

The psychologist, who has a book on the subject (Sexuality and Disabilities, Editora Unesp), accompanied a group of 12 people with different mobility difficulties.

 

The results of the interviews conducted by the researcher demonstrate that in addition to the interest in loving and sexual relationships, people with disabilities learn to adapt their sexual lives by exchanging information with other disabled people.

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Sexual intercourse, in these cases, may require some special care, such as the application of lubricants for women and the use of oral or intravenous medications for the erection of the penis. It may also be necessary to empty your bladder before the act and adapt positions "They really learn from other disabled people, as doctors are often not prepared to talk about it with them," says Ana Cláudia.

 

The psychologist says that self-esteem and concern for appearance were subjects constantly reported by respondents. "The concern with the aesthetic issue was demonstrated by both sexes", says the psychologist.

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However, among the concerns of this population there are differences. While men are more concerned with the ability to have erections, women have doubts about orgasm, fertility and the ability to feel attractive. "In the case of acquired disabilities (such as spinal injuries resulting from accidents), men usually also compare their performances today with before they were disabled," he says.

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Ana Cláudia's research points out that a common behavior among family members of the disabled is to think that they have no interest in sex, dating and marriage. A young woman who participated in the study says that her mother does not care when she goes out with male friends, but controls her younger sister, as if her contact with boys was asexual and without erotic intentions, unlike the non-disabled sister.

 

Intellectual disability

Ana Cláudia, who also monitors people with intellectual disabilities, says that in these cases the taboo can be even greater. "Pretending that they have no desire only makes the situation worse," he says. "Today, many intellectual disabled people contract HIV because they are sexually active but do not have access to information."

 

Originally published by Emilio Sant'Anna for G1 on the website, here