You've had problems with your sex life in some way since you started dialysis? Are these mainly manifested by a limited ability to have an erection? You are not alone in this. It is estimated that about half of all people on dialysis report negative influences on their sex life. This article is intended to answer your questions about dialysis and sex for men.
Loss of libido due to dialysis - Why and what is happening in my body?
Chronic kidney failure can affect the sex life of both men and women. As a man, this is often reflected in erectile dysfunction, or even a decreased sex drive. These and other sexual changes can be caused by four main overriding factors: hormonal imbalances, developing diseases, emotional problems, and the use of medications.
Your sex drive is controlled in the body by sex hormones. For example, the dominant sex hormone in men is the famous testosterone. On the other hand, sexual desire can be reduced by other hormones, such as prolactin. It is precisely this hormone that is often detected in large amounts in the blood of people who require dialysis.
High blood pressure and other effects of dialysis can also lead to reduced erectile function in men. Diabetes also falls under this category. The severe emotional stress during dialysis can also affect sexuality in some people.
You should also be aware that medications related to dialysis can also cause changes in your sex drive. Blood pressure medications or medications for depression, anxiety or nerve pain taken during dialysis could also be the reason for a disturbance of your sexual desire.
What effects do dialysis medications have on my sex life?
As briefly described earlier, medications that you need to take as a dialysis patient can affect your sex life. Blood pressure medications or medications for depression, anxiety or nerve pain can cause limitations in your sex life due to possible side effects such as erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual desire. Reduced physical capacity also means that, as a person on dialysis, you are often too weak to engage in sexual intercourse.
Is there a difference between HD and PD patients having sex?
What may be rather unexpected is that the impact on sex life is additionally dependent on your type of dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) often seems to lead to fewer problems than hemodialysis (HD). It often depends on you and your partner and which form of dialysis would actually be less disruptive regarding your togetherness. Before you start PD or HD, you should clarify for yourself and your partner whether changes to your body would cause problems with either forms of dialysis. If you wish, you can also discuss a plan to address these issues with your medical and care team. One thing to keep in mind is that with PD, for example, the tube of the catheter sticking out of your abdomen can be a bothersome factor during sex. In HD via an atrial catheter, this could have a similar effect.
What are the treatment options? Can sexual enhancers be used?
The treatment of your sexual problems must be treated considering the cause of the disorder. Due to different triggers, the treatment is very individual. Please talk to your treating physician about this.
If a hormonal imbalance is the cause of your altered sex drive, for example, you can be treated with medication. Potency drugs can also be used in the treatment, but only in consultation with your treating physician. Drug therapy can also be used for erectile dysfunction. The latter can be additionally treated by means of a vacuum pump. In case of additional emotional stress caused by dialysis, talk therapy with you and your partner can help.
A healthy lifestyle is crucial for the recovery of your sexual desire and for prevention of sexual problems. Sufficient physical exercise and efficient dialysis have a positive effect - especially in women - on physical performance and sexual functions. On the other hand, smoking is counterproductive. But you should refrain from that anyway, if possible. Maybe a better sex life is the reason for quitting in the end!
Can I father children as a man on dialysis?
In principle, it is possible to father children even if you are a man on dialysis. However, the probability of success is lower than for non-dialysis-dependent men. The reason for this is that dialysis can lead to an inability to conceive (=infertility) or erectile dysfunction (=impotence). Sperm cells often decrease in number due to the greatly reduced kidney function. In addition, these sperm are usually damaged to a large extent and therefore find it more difficult to move around. Unfortunately, these problems continue to increase over time with dialysis dependency.
How does a kidney transplant affect sexual function in men?
Many individuals on dialysis can enjoy their sexuality in new ways after a successful transplant. So, a kidney transplant can lead to normalization of sexual life in both men and women. However, for men, it is not unlikely that further complications will occur even after a transplant. Only a small percentage of men do not have erectile dysfunction at all after transplantation.
After a transplantation you should in any case let the surgical wound heal properly before you jump back into the bed with your partner. On average, this takes about 4-6 weeks. When having sexual intercourse afterwards, you should also preferably choose positions that exert little pressure on the kidney. So don't get too much inspiration from sex positions that involve a lot of twisting and turnin ;-).
What should I do if my sex life is bothering me?
As an affected man you should in any case talk to your treating medical team. This can help you with your questions. Moreover, this is the prerequisite for any therapeutic treatment. It must be chosen individually, taking into account the cause of your sexual situation.
In addition, you can also take advantage of a potency consultation with a urologist. At this consultation, be sure to inform your urologist of your kidney disease.
Should I talk to my partner about my low sexual desire?
The clear answer to this question is yes. Ideally, you should be open about the issue. Your partner should know about the changes in your body. Only then can they understand your individual situation. However, do not let yourself be put under pressure. With the understanding of your partner, there will be more space and moments for tenderness, which you can enjoy as much as possible. The exchange about topics in the intimate and sexual life is indispensable for overcoming difficult phases.
