SEXUALITY AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney disease, like other chronic diseases, can cause physical changes that often imply an effort to adapt and accept it on the part of the patient. The psychological and emotional stability of the patient and the support of the partner/family is essential for this adaptation to occur harmoniously in all spheres of the sick person's life. Sexuality is a fundamental part of this balance. Feeling loved, cherished, desired and supported, brings a sense of “normality” to the patient, contributes to their well-being, and helps to overcome the adversities they face.

Kidney disease and sexuality

Kidney failure can cause physical and hormonal changes that affect a person's life in all its aspects. These alterations often have an impact on personal life, more specifically on sexuality (the way the patient sees his own body). Patients with chronic kidney disease tend to feel less sexually attractive, as their self-esteem is usually low and, in many cases, patients with kidney disease are depressed and have a distorted view of reality. With all these changes and adaptations to this new phase of life, having sex, or simply thinking about it, may be the last thing on the patient's mind.

If there was a good relationship and communication with the partner before the illness, it is possible to overcome and understand these changes more easily. If this is not the case, the support of nephrologist in Delhi is essential for the patient and his partner to discover a new way of relating while living with kidney disease.

Below are listed physical alterations that can alter the sexuality of patients with chronic kidney disease:

1. Body odor and bad breath – high levels of urea can cause a characteristic smell that varies from person to person;

2. Ecchymoses (purple or black spots, bruises) – some medications can alter blood clotting, making it easy for ecchymosis to appear that lasts for a long time;

3. Decreased energy levels (tiredness) – weight gain, lack of exercise and easy tiredness (resulting from anemia) can lower energy levels to carry out daily activities;

4. Excess fluids – edema (swelling in the legs, face (face) and other parts of the body due to excess fluid intake between hemodialysis sessions and abdominal distension caused by fluid (in the case of patients on peritoneal dialysis);

5. Hair loss or the appearance of excess hair – resulting from treatment with steroid medications;

6. Decreased ability to reach orgasm – chemical changes affect the function of the nerves, decreasing their sensitivity;

7. Skin changes – you may experience itching (“itching”), dry skin and changes in skin color (pale, yellow skin).

Sex act

With the appearance of a chronic disease, many doubts and fears can arise, leading people to avoid sexual activity unnecessarily. It is important to ask your kidney specialist in Delhi when you can resume sexual activity.

Like any physical activity, it must be done with some care. With regard to renal failure on hemodialysis, you should consider a position where you don't exert too much pressure on the fistula. In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, consider a position that does not exert too much pressure on the abdomen. In the case of the transplanted patient, wait until the scar is completely healed.

If your kidney doctor in Delhi informs you that the sexual act is not possible or even if the couple feels that sex is no longer as important as it used to be, there are other ways to feel the affection and love desired by everyone, such as caresses, hugs, kisses.

It is important to remember the importance of protecting yourself, using condoms, against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS (AIDS), syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes and candidiasis.

Impotence and Fertility

With the onset of symptoms inherent to kidney disease, it is possible for men to experience difficulties in obtaining and/or maintaining an erection. This occurs due to physical and emotional changes such as: changes in hormone levels; blood circulation problems; fatigue secondary to anemia; nerve damage; medication side effects; low self-esteem; changes in body image; depression; anxiety; stress, among others. With the transplant, these problems tend to attenuate.

The emergence of sildenafil opened new perspectives for the Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in Delhi in patients with CRI. It must be taken 1 hour before sexual activity and it needs sexual stimulation to obtain the effect, which can be felt for approximately 4 hours.

Impotence is not synonymous with infertility. A man on dialysis or transplanted can have a child. If the couple has not achieved a pregnancy after some time, they should seek the help of a sexologist in Delhi. The man should have a fertility test.

The Importance of Seeking Help

Asking the best sexologist in Delhi for help can help you understand whether sexual problems have a physical or psychological cause. This requires a medical, psychological and sexual history of the person. Medications should be reviewed for their potential effects on sexual function. Blood tests should include hormone studies. If there is no physical problem, the origin of the problem should be considered as emotional or psychological.

When the problem is physical

There are several options available for men who are unable to achieve an erection. There are inflatable or semi-rigid penile implants. In some cases, surgery can improve blood flow to the penis. If the man does not want any type of surgery, he can try hormone medication and improve his function.

Women generally have less vaginal lubrication, and may experience pain during intercourse. Using vaginal lubricants can reduce or eliminate pain. Women, on the other hand, may be unable or take longer to reach orgasm because of hormonal changes, changes in energy level or medication for stress. A change in your medication or supply of hormonal medications may be necessary.

Feeling anxious, upset and depressed is normal when faced with a chronic illness. These emotions lead to loss of energy and reduced interest in many activities, including sex. If a sexual problem occurs, embarrassment and feelings of guilt may ensue. The fear that the problem will happen again, leads the person to move away from situations that potentially involve sex. Relaxation exercises can help control these fears. Regular exercise and work can keep your mind busy and improve your physical condition and body image. If sexual problems continue despite all measures, the person may still benefit from sex therapy.

Sex Therapy

Sex therapy deals with the sexual problems of couples and individuals. The first step in sex therapy can be sex education for the person or couple. The sex specialist in Delhi can advise activities to be carried out at home. These include communication exercises, stress-reducing activities, practicing ways to improve the ability to give and receive caresses, among others. Sex therapy can help those with problems related to low sexual interest, difficulties reaching orgasm or reaching it early, pain during sexual activity and difficulties with erection.

The patient

Patients with renal failure and their partners must play an active role in seeking to improve their quality of life. To do so, they must learn all they can about kidney disease and its treatment. It is essential to seek this knowledge from best nephrologist in Delhi, as they are better prepared to answer such questions. Having greater control over your situation and your treatment will help you feel better. Kidney failure is easier to accept with a positive attitude, which will make you more attractive to yourself and others.

Communication in the couple is important to maintain a healthy affective relationship. The appearance of a chronic disease within a family can generate fear about the future, anxiety about the present and burden on the caregiver, often leading to the couple's estrangement. The expression of these feelings, which are often hidden, can facilitate the process of getting closer to a couple.

Although this disease causes significant changes in the life of the person and his family, it does not mean, however, that one should give up the fight for happiness and abandon the will to feel loved and desired, as well as to desire the other and to give him/her love.

Having kidney failure does not mean being “insufficient” in everything, but only in kidney function.

And in the list of symptoms associated with this disease nowhere in the world is it described: “chronic renal failure = unhappiness”. Your most intimate doubts can be clarified.

Look for your Nephrologist in Delhi. Don't be shy about asking and expressing what causes the most distress and upset in your relationship and your family. You don't have to be unhappy.