During your inpatient or outpatient therapy at ICSCI at Kennedy Krieger, you will work with your doctor, nurses, and occupational therapists on establishing bladder and bowel management routines. These routines will be helpful when it comes to managing your bowels and bladder for sexual activity. Talk with your doctor, nurse, and occupational therapist about management for sexual activity and strategies that are available to you.
It is important to ensure genital hygiene and bladder or bowel issues have been taken care of prior to sexual activity to help with avoiding accidents. It has also been reported in research studies that some people reduce fluid intake and/or avoid eating several hours prior to intimacy to help with avoiding accidents. It is important to wash and complete your bladder routines before and after sexual activity to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
There are several strategies you can use to help with reducing accidents or managing them when they occur. Remember, sexual activity can be messy for everyone and cleanup is a natural part of it.
This resource created by the United Spinal Association talks about strategies you can use for continence management and strategies for dealing with accidents. You will need to scroll down to find the section on continence: Medical Considerations - United Spinal Association
Here is a video on how to manage your bowel and bladder and discuss the routines with your partner or potential partners: Managing Bodily Functions — Sexuality after SCI (sexualitysci.org)