Do you have kidney disease and also experience problems with sex? You are not alone. Nearly half of the population have difficulty having sex, regardless of gender or kidney function. In this article, you will learn about the possible reasons for this and how some problems can be solved.
Sex is often called “the most beautiful thing in the world” and the desire to express yourself sexually is something quite natural. Sex has an important role in procreation - but mainly it should be fun. If, for some reason, your sex life is not as fulfilling as it used to be, it can be a great burden. Especially since fulfilling sex makes people happy and contributes significantly to the quality of life. Nevertheless, almost half of the population - regardless of gender - have problems during sex. The reasons for this are many and varied. If you have chronic kidney disease, it can have a significant impact on your sexuality. You can learn about the problems that can occur and how some of them can be solved in this article.
Sexual dysfunction - what is it?
The term “sexual dysfunction” is often used in connection with problems during sex. This is an umbrella term for any reason leading to a sex life that is no longer so fulfilling.
Common sexual dysfunctions in people with renal failure include:
- Diminished sexual desire (=loss of libido)
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Premature ejaculation in men that is perceived as disturbing
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Failure to reach orgasm
Many people suffer from these problems during sex completely independent of kidney function. So you are not alone with your worries and questions around this topic. There is no reason to be ashamed of it. Sure… this is often easier said than done. Still, it may help to know that many other people feel the same way - much more than you might first think.
Causes of sexual dysfunction in kidney disease
You already know that there are many people in the world who have one problem or another during sexual intercourse. Chronic kidney disease can also affect your sex life. But what impact can your kidney function have on your sexuality?
Stagnation of sex hormones
Your kidneys perform many important tasks in your body. If they no longer function as they should, this affects many different areas of your body. Among other things, it can negatively affect your sex hormones.
Sex hormones are messenger substances that - as the name suggests - have a great influence on the development of your biological sex. In growing men, for example, they cause muscle mass and hair to increase. They are also responsible for the change of voice. In adolescent women, the sex hormones stimulate breast development and control the female cycle. They also play a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy and during breastfeeding. In both sexes, they also have a major influence on sexuality, for example sexual desire (libido).
Most sex hormones are produced in the testicles in men and in the ovaries in women. Kidney dysfunction can interfere with the formation and breakdown of sex hormones. However, the interplay between the individual hormones in the body is so complex that it even overwhelms many physicians. This means that you don't have to worry about the exact influence of your kidney swelling on the sex hormones. What you can remember, however, is this: The more your kidney function decreases, the more likely it is to have a negative influence on sex hormones and thus on your sexuality. Conversely, improving your kidney function and transplantation can often improve the balance of your sex hormones again.
Your fertility usually decreases as your kidney function decreases. In women, this appears, for example, as an altered menstrual cycle or even the absence of periods. This, in turn, can make pregnancy much more difficult.
Side effects of medication
People with kidney disease are also often dependent on medication. You probably know that many medications come with a long list of side effects. For example, loss of sexual desire (=libido loss) is a common side effect of many medications. Together with your medical team, you can take a look at your medication schedule. There may be a chance that your sex life can improve with some adjustments to your medications.
Co-morbid diseases
In men especially, blood flow to the penis plays a crucial role in the development of an erection. Sexual stimulation and the resulting nerve impulses increase the inflow of blood into the penis and reduce the outflow of blood. This causes the pressure in the penis to increase. As a result, the penis straightens and becomes stiff. Common comorbid diseases of chronic kidney disease are, for example, high blood pressure (=hypertension) or diabetes mellitus. Both can have a negative influence on the vessels. Depending on how badly your blood vessels are damaged, this can also affect the blood supply to your penis and lead to erectile dysfunction.
Psychological well-being
Another big influence on your sex life is your psychological well-being. Stress and a negative mood can also decrease your sexual desire, cause erectile dysfunction, and increase the physical effects of renal failure. A chronic disease such as kidney insufficiency can be very stressful just by itself. If stress at work or in the family is added to this, it quickly becomes difficult to turn off the mind - even during sex.
As you can see, there are many different reasons why you may feel that your sex life is not that fulfilling at the moment. But don't worry - there is a solution for many things. You'll find out more about this in the next section.
What are the options for sexual dysfunction?
As many and varied as the causes of problems with sex are, so are the options for therapy. Below you will find a brief overview of some of the most important therapy options:
Medical counseling
Because both the causes of sexual dysfunction and the solutions are very varied and individual, you should definitely talk to your doctor about them. In the beginning, this can be your family doctor or your nephrologist - preferably someone you trust. Depending on the extent of your difficulties with sex, it may also be worth contacting a specialist. For women, this is usually a gynecologist, and for men, a urologist.
Review medications
As you already know, some medications can have a negative effect on your sexuality and can, for example, increase or decrease your sexual desire. If you regularly take medication, it is worth talking to your doctor about possible effects on your sex life. There are often alternatives that have less impact on your sexuality.
Proceeding with erectile dysfunction
Is it difficult for you as a man to get or maintain an erection? You definitely don't need to feel ashamed. Many men feel the same way. It is best to talk to your doctor about it. Together you can find out what the problem is. This could be, for example, a disturbance of your sex hormones or a comorbid disease such as high blood pressure or diabetes. These can also have a negative effect on your erection. Psychological factors, such as stress, can also be a cause of erectile dysfunction.
Depending on what the cause of your erection problem is, there are various supportive measures - from medication and psychological support to mechanical aids.
A mechanical aid is, for example, a penis pump in combination with a penis ring. The penis pump is placed on your penis and is connected to a hand pump. By operating this pump, a negative pressure is created. This causes more blood to flow into your penis and it becomes stiff. When you have achieved the desired result, you can remove the penis pump. Then put a penis ring over your penis up to the base. This ring prevents the blood from flowing out too quickly. Thus, it ensures that your penis remains erect.
Sex Therapy
Often, it is not possible to find a single trigger for difficulties during sex. Since the topic is still closely associated with shame in our society, in many cases a psychological component is added or is even the main trigger. But even for this branch of psychology there are therapists! These professionals often go by the term "sex therapists". Sex therapy is a special form of therapy. As the name suggests, it is primarily dedicated to the restoration of a fulfilling sexual life. This can be done in the form of individual sessions or together with your partner.
Kidney transplant
Fertility and sexuality often improve significantly after a kidney transplant, particularly for women with severe chronic kidney disease or for women who require dialysis. The reason for this is that your kidneys also have a significant influence on your hormone balance, which in turn affects your fertility. It is no wonder that as your kidney function decreases, so does your fertility. However, a kidney transplant is primarily a therapy for (complete) kidney failure and not a fertility treatment. If you would like to know more about this topic, please talk to your treating physician.
As you can see, difficulties during sex can be attributed to many different causes. As varied as the causes are, so are the solutions. To get the best possible support, it's best to talk to your doctor early on. Together you will certainly find a suitable solution to your problem and hopefully you will soon be able to enjoy a fulfilling sex life again.
