You are here: Bladder and bowel routine

A typical bladder and bowel management regime currently relies on the use of catheters, usually in-dwelling, and either a colostomy or the use daily manual evacuation techniques. Most people with a spinal cord injury are unable manage any of these themselves and need help from family or carers, making this an expensive, often undignified, and time-consuming part of daily life.
Many people with a spinal cord injury manage their bladder and bowel care by intentionally restricting their fluid intake.

Fertility and birth can be managed clinically but sensation, pleasure and intimacy are not a high priority for clinicians, whereas they are for people with a spinal cord injury.
To have more control over these aspects of their life would greatly improve health, confidence, dignity and quality of life.