Comfortable sexual positions for spastic diplegia

Nuala Watt

(NB. If you have a specific question about sex and relationships, feel free to ask our Sex and Relationships expert - Scope).

Dear all.

Apologies for bringing this up - but I was wondering whether anyone has experience. I am a heterosexual woman with spastic diplegia and am trying to identify comfortable sexual positions. I have rather tight muscles round my hips, which make straddling my partner rather uncomfortable. The missionary position seems to be ok. I would prefer not to be distracted by cp during lovemaking. Does anyone have any relevant experience? I hope this gets past the censor, Best wishes Nuala

ScopeHelpline

Hi Nuala,

I feel your question could best be answered by Outsiders
who run the Sex and Disability Helpline, which is open from 11am – 7pm weekdays on 0707 499 3527, or email sexdis@Outsiders.org.uk .
Calls are taken from both disabled people and health care professionals.

Nuala Watt

Thank you - I will do that. Apologies for the post, but I didn't know who to ask. I really feel that Outsiders could benefit from a different name - I don't personally want to belong to a club called Outsiders - but advice would be very helpful. Best wishes Nuala

mollymoobarnes

Too right Nuala - a really rubbish name for a group! I'm glad you asked your question here - why on earth shouldn't you? I hope you get some useful advice. Enjoy!

Maria xx

Nuala Watt

Thank you Maria. I have emailed the helpline and am waiting to see if they have any useful advice. xx

panther

Hi NualaW

Have you tried either lying on your side or if you are able to being on all fours?
Like you I have spastic diplegia and find my muscles in andaround my hips can be tight so have the same problem as you at times.

Would be interested to hear how you get on with Outsiders like you say couldn't they of come up with a better name for it.

If I think of any other ways that I find comfortable I'l let you know.

Helen x

LilyW

Seriously - whhy call a giroup that? REakly biuild s youtr confidence

Shaun Jennings

I am a 40 year old male with spastic diplegia and Spina Bifida Occulta. I am not sure which causes me the problem I have during sex. Firstly I have to rely on Viagra for the obvious, and then it's finding that comfortable position other than flat on my back in order to make sex not just one way effort for my girlfriend. Don't get me wrong she is great and I am able to do other stuff but intercourse always has to be flat on my back in order for either of us to get full benefit. I have no real hip or pelvic flexion but are there ways around this?

Emma

Do also feel free to chat to our own in-house sex and relationships advisor Gill: https://community.scope.org.uk/discussion/25376/ask-a-sex-relationships-expert She's very good and it takes a lot to make her blush!

PSHEexpert

Hello!

It does indeed take a lot to make me blush but I am VERY sorry that it's taken me so long to answer! I am out of my office an awful lot at the moment and I really apologise.

Okay so - without further ado, here we go. I wonder, have you heard of Liberator cushions? (Stick with me.) They are basically sex cushions (ahem) which come in a variety of shapes and configurations and have a very helpful website which demonstrates them; as I'm writing this from my office in a college I can't provide a link (!) but if you Google Liberator cushions from a safe place it'll bring them up. I'm directing you to it for a couple of reasons. I admit they aren't cheap, but they're pretty amazing. The website has great photographic references which are helpful for ideas, too. A little gravity and support in the right places to assist with comfortable movement/rocking etc can work wonders.

Please let me know how you get on

Gill