having sex while on dialysis

[deniferfer]

You could offer the escort ladies and "Chippendales" a tax write off for donation of their time for the entertainment of others...I'm sure they would jump on that!!(no pun intended)

[smokinbeaver]

Chris, I like your idea of lights, hand puppets doing a show on the screens! That would be something to see. Some folks did that to Jon and I when we were out camping once. They pulled their trucks up behind our tent and turned the headlights on while we were engaged...we didn't get mad, but it was distracting...Glad I was wearing a long flannel nightgown.

Sharon

[malaka]

Having survived dialysis for 6 months in a center, I agree that I do not want to witness any such activity!  Besides, imagine the alarms going off on the machines.  Bad idea!

[MommyChick]

I must say everyone at my clinic is older, I'm the youngest so I wouldn't want to see any of that! Not to mention like.. Malaka said all the alarms would be going off, haha
All the techs at my clinic are around my age & last week my BP was really low & wouldn't come back up, so the one tech broke out her Ipad & brought up pics from the movie "Magic Mike" LOL my BP went back up to normal...
We all got a good laugh out of that 

[AguynamedKim]

All the techs at my clinic are around my age & last week my BP was really low & wouldn't come back up, so the one tech broke out her Ipad & brought up pics from the movie "Magic Mike" LOL my BP went back up to normal...

That is freakin hilarious.

[okarol]

 

Found this on NKF:
SEXUALITY AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Many people think that sexuality refers only to the act of sexual intercourse. Sexuality includes many factors, such as how people feel about themselves, how they communicate with others and how willing they are to build a relationship. In addition, sexuality involves a wide range of pleasurable sexual activities that may or may not include intercourse, such as touching, hugging and kissing. Being a sexual person is healthy. Lovemaking may provide a way of feeling "normal" for people who are chronically ill.

How can kidney disease affect sex life?
Kidney disease can cause physical and emotional changes that may affect your sex life. The chemical changes that occur in your body with kidney disease affect hormones, circulation, nerve function and energy level. These changes usually lower sexual interest and/or sexual ability. Physical changes may cause people with kidney disease to feel less attractive sexually. Many of the medicines used to treat high blood pressure may affect sexual functioning.

Use of steroids may cause weight gain, acne, and unwanted hair growth or loss. Surgical scars can cause patients to feel unattractive. Medical changes and changes in self-image may affect sexual interest and functioning.

Is sexual intercourse safe for kidney patients?
Patients and their partners may worry that sexual activity could cause the patient's death or harm the dialysis access or transplanted kidney. No limitations need to be placed on kidney patients sexually. If sexual activity does not place pressure or tension on the access site, it will not cause damage. After receiving a transplant, it is important to wait until the scar has begun to heal. Once the doctor says it is all right to resume sexual activity, there is no reason to worry about damaging the transplanted kidney. Fear can cause people to avoid sexual activity needlessly.

For some couples, sexual intercourse is not possible. Some may feel that sex is not as important as it once was. Activities such as touching, hugging, and kissing provide feelings of warmth and closeness even if intercourse is not involved. Professional sex therapists can recommend alternative methods.

Will a child's sexual development be affected by kidney failure?
This depends on the child's age when kidney failure occurs. Young children with kidney disease are usually smaller than other children their age. They are also slower to develop sexually. Children who are on dialysis probably will have slower growth and sexual development than children who have kidney transplants. If a teenager has kidney disease, sexual development may slow down or even stop. For example, teenage girls may not have periods. Changes due to kidney failure and treatment may make the teenager feel different from his or her friends. Parents should express their concerns about growth and sexual development to the doctor. Parents of a child or teenager who is ill must fight the impulse to protect their child from the pain of growing up. Self-worth, independence, and sexual identity are important for teenagers. Parents need to talk openly with their children about physical, emotional, and sexual issues. Support groups for children and teenagers with kidney disease can be helpful. Contact a renal social worker or the National Kidney Foundation to find out if support groups are available near you.

Can you get AIDS from a transplant and risk giving AIDS to your sex partners?
Kidneys for transplantation and blood transfusions are now routinely tested for the AIDS virus. The risk of getting AIDS from a transplant or transfusion in the last few years is very small. Therefore, the risk of giving AIDS to a sex partner is small as a result of a transplant. Most health departments and health clinics can do a simple confidential blood test for HIV. Until the results of this test are known, use of a condom lowers the risk of passing the AIDS virus to a sex partner. Practicing safe sex is important for everyone.

Can a kidney transplant from someone of the opposite sex affect me sexually?
No. The sex of the kidney donor has no physical effect on the recipient's ability to function sexually or on sexual preference (heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual).

Do transplant patients have fewer sexual problems than dialysis patients?
Generally, transplant patients have fewer sexual problems than dialysis patients because they may have fewer physical problems that affect their sex life like fatigue or anemia. But, having a transplant does not make them less prone to sexual concerns. The level of interest in and ability to have sex varies with things like the quality of the relationship, age, stress level, and physical conditions.

Will sexual problems get worse the longer dialysis continues?
This depends on the person. Having kidney failure, like any other chronic diseases, means that the body is in a weaker overall state of health. However, as the body adjusts to the treatment, the kidney patient should feel better physically and emotionally, and interest in sex may return to its earlier level. It is important to be patient and allow time to get used to the kidney disease and treatment. Being flexible and having a positive attitude about yourself and about sex may lower the chances of having severe sexual problems.

Can you tell whether sexual problems are due to physical or emotional causes?
Yes. This requires a complete medical, psychological and sexual history of the patient and his/her partner. Medicines should be reviewed for sexual side effects and changed if possible. Blood tests should include hormone levels and blood sugar levels to check for diabetes. Men can be checked to see if nerve and blood supply to the penis are good and if they can have an erection. If no physical problem is found, an emotional cause must be considered.

What can be done if the problem is physical?
Several options are available for men whose penis will not get or stay hard (erection). Penile implant surgery places inflatable or semi-rigid rods into the penis. In some cases, surgery can improve blood flow to the penis. If the man does not want surgery, male hormones may be given. Oral and injectable medications can cause an erection. External suction devices can make the penis hard enough for intercourse, but they require time and hand strength. Doctors with special training in impotence can give information on all options as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and side effects.

Women patients usually have less vaginal wetness and may have pain during sexual activity. Lower hormone levels can cause vaginal dryness. Use of a water-soluble vaginal lubricant can lower or stop pain associated with intercourse. Do not use petroleum jelly because it can increase the risk of infection. Some women may be unable to have a climax or may need more time to get "turned on" because of loss of energy, hormone changes, or medications for high blood pressure. A change in blood pressure medicine or extra hormones may be needed. Your doctor can provide information on options.

What can be done if the problem is psychological?
Feeling worried, anxious and depressed is normal when faced with a serious loss such as kidney failure. These emotions can cause loss of energy and lower interest in many activities including sex. If a sexual problem does occur, embarrassment and guilt often follow. Fear that the problem will happen again may cause the person to shy away from sexual situations. Relaxation exercises can help to control these fears. Regular physical exercise and activity help keep the mind busy and can improve physical condition and body image. If sexual problems continue, sex therapy can help. Even if the problem is psychological, some of the treatment options mentioned for physical problems may be helpful.

Can sex therapy help?
Sex therapy deals with the sexual problems of couples and individuals. The first step in sex therapy may be sexual education for the individual or couple. The therapist may assign activities to be done at home. These include communication exercises, stress reduction activities, and practicing ways of improving skills in giving and receiving enjoyable touches. Sex therapy can help with problems such as low sexual interest, trouble in reaching climax or reaching climax too soon, pain during sexual activity, and erection difficulties. Therapy also can help a person work through the effects of chronic illness on sexual functioning.

A sex therapist can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, physician, or social worker. Look for someone who is licensed and who has advanced training and experience in sexuality and sexual problems. Charges vary and may be covered partly by insurance.

What can kidney patients do to help themselves?
Take an active role in learning about kidney disease and treatment. Follow the prescribed diet and fluid limits. Take all medications properly and tell the doctor of any side effects. Ask for an exercise program to help muscle tone, strength, and endurance. Your doctor and dietitian can suggest a weight gain or loss program, if needed. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Be aware of other things that could affect your sexual functioning, such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking.

[Flyinganchor]

Do any mans have sex while on dialysis and if so do u take Viagra or have a sex drive any more and can u still get it up HONEST question this is not a joke 

Edited: fixed subject line error: Boxman, Moderator

Personally I try and wait until I get home, but at my age I find I need a good memory rather than Viagra.  Sorry, what were we talking about? LOL.

[fuzzyL]

the combo of kidney problems and my age-I am having sexual problems--not just physical, but also mental--I simply have very little sexual desire-this really is no problem for me but it is one for my wife--so I am asking if others have this and what did they do or take--Viagra or something else or even some natural supplements?? thank you


Edited: Topic merged in Dialysis: FAQ's - okarol/admin

[okarol]

 

[gothiclovemonkey]

my desire is still very much there... mentally i feel like i could do it all the time LOL
unfortunately since i dont get a chance to enjoy it very often, its bothersome that i dont feel well enough when the time actually comes, or that i cant breathe well enough lol
i seriously worried id have a heart attack once... wouldnt that be embarrassing...
i personally wonder/think its harder on the partner than it is us... worried they will hurt us or something, idk.

[Grumpy-1]

For me the desire died and didn't come back until just recently (after 2 + years)  BUT the physical part still isn't there.  Sorry to say the my "johnson" just won't rise to the occasion.

[gothiclovemonkey]

ok this is rather hard for me to ask but i NEED to know...

Whenever i get the chance to do  the deed, i tend to get extremely out of breathe, and i dont mean the normal out of breath for that type of... "exercise" lol its scary. And quite honestly,  i dont really do most of the work (sorry thats tmi, but i want to know whats going on here)
is that my heart? is that normal for us? are there things that can be done differently so it doesnt happen?


its bad enough half the medications im on take away from the experience, but now this, and i would rather not die while in the middle of it all... and my bf is so afraid hes going to kill me that we rarely do anything anyway... this isnt helping!!!

Im sorry if this is totally inappropriate but i really need to know.

[MightyMike]

When I still had that someone special I experienced what your talking about.  I couldn't do much but it seemed after I climaxed that I was having a heart attack.  I think it's just basically that having sex increases heart rate and finishes can cause blood pressure to raise and drop and not having much energy to begin with its just rough on our bodies.  Having sex is not much different physically then trying to work out to some of us.  I found when I was diagnosed in my twenties and on dialysis it wasn't as bad but now that I'm back on dialysis in my 30's it's a lot more exhausting.

[monrein]

ok this is rather hard for me to ask but i NEED to know...

Whenever i get the chance to do  the deed, i tend to get extremely out of breathe, and i dont mean the normal out of breath for that type of... "exercise" lol its scary. And quite honestly,  i dont really do most of the work (sorry thats tmi, but i want to know whats going on here)
is that my heart? is that normal for us? are there things that can be done differently so it doesnt happen?


its bad enough half the medications im on take away from the experience, but now this, and i would rather not die while in the middle of it all... and my bf is so afraid hes going to kill me that we rarely do anything anyway... this isnt helping!!!

Im sorry if this is totally inappropriate but i really need to know.

or
Not at all inappropriate as a question but I think you need to ask your doctor and describe your symptoms. 

[gothiclovemonkey]

this may be hard to believe, but im actually kind of shy, when it comes to this type of thing. i fear talking to the dr about it lol
how do i even bring it up? what do i say

[MaryJoe]

Goth - you bring it up the same way you did here -"I have a concern that when I have sex I get extremely short of breath."  your doc has probably heard the same concern from other patients many times.  If you have an OB/GYN it might be easier to talk to him/her. but if it's connected to your kidney disease or dialysis your neph would be the one who would know what to do to fix it.  I'm really lucky with my neph, he's very easy to talk to and always asks how things are going in what he calls my non-CKD life.  I hope you have a doc that you can discuss this with, I know it's a hard topic to bring up.  I think we'd all be a little embarrassed, but it will be worth the embarrassment to have an answer and a solution.   

[monrein]

Do you see a gynecologist regularly?  Perhaps that would be easier.  Bodies are made to function and when they aren't running smoothly we have to overcome shyness, fear, embarrassment etc. to get answers.  Doctors train for years to work with bodies, all the parts of bodies and their functions and sex is just a normal part of what functioning bodies are designed to do if the owner of the body wants to.  Same goes for pooping, peeing, breathing, eating etc.  Please ask your doctor.

[gothiclovemonkey]

 
 its hard enough for me to answer them when they ask about my bowels... but you are all right, "gotta do what you gotta do"
far better to ask then end up dying during the deed... how awful that would be.

[okarol]

far better to ask then end up dying during the deed... how awful that would be.

There are worse ways to go! 

[mogee]

Is this thread about having sex during dialysis sessions or about the way dialysis effects sexuality?  I've only had sex ten or twelve times while getting dialysed.  The circumstances were unusual.  Dialysis does not seem to have effected my libido or my physical abilities.  I am now in my seventh month of a transplant and sex, as aways, is good.  I was fortunate to be able to maintain my good health while on dialysis.

[okarol]

It covers a wide variety of topics related to sex and sexuality, but I like it because some of it is hilarious! 

[obsidianom]

My wife and i couldnt have sex while on dialysis. WHY??
Because our home Nxstage machine is part of our family and sits right next to the dialysis chair. We just couldnt feel ok about having sex in front of the "family".
I think the machine might disaprove anyway. Or it might get jealous and ALARM loudly.

[502Blues]

I had LOTS of sex while on dialysis. No woman wanted to give their heart to me bcuz they were afraid I'd die on them, so sex was all I was good for, so I felt, and that was one of the positive things in my life that I could still get enjoyment from .

[smokinbeaver]

I still worry about being able to have sex. My husband's fistula is finally healed and working with dialysis after more surgeries. He found his testosterone is the lowest this dr had ever seen, and the dr inserted seeds of testosterone in is butt, but so far they aren't working much yet, even with Viagra. He gets erect, but its hard to sustain long enough. Maybe that's how it is with having diabetes many yrs, and dialysis after a yr? We aren't giving up, keep trying, but it hurts him. Do guys get where they can't even climax anymore? I had never heard of that. The desire is still there, but after a while a guy gets tired and frustrated it seems. I feel badly, like I have failed. Should have known this was coming I guess. He will be 60 the end of January, and I am 59....Hopefully its better for the younger girls and guys.

Sharon

[obsidianom]

I still worry about being able to have sex. My husband's fistula is finally healed and working with dialysis after more surgeries. He found his testosterone is the lowest this dr had ever seen, and the dr inserted seeds of testosterone in is butt, but so far they aren't working much yet, even with Viagra. He gets erect, but its hard to sustain long enough. Maybe that's how it is with having diabetes many yrs, and dialysis after a yr? We aren't giving up, keep trying, but it hurts him. Do guys get where they can't even climax anymore? I had never heard of that. The desire is still there, but after a while a guy gets tired and frustrated it seems. I feel badly, like I have failed. Should have known this was coming I guess. He will be 60 the end of January, and I am 59....Hopefully its better for the younger girls and guys.

Sharon

If erection is the issue you can ask the doctor about Caverject (if your husband is willing to inject himself). It is more effective than viagra and works quicker(immediate). It is not painful with the very thin needles used and unlike oral meds has few side effects. Also a better erection may lead to easier orgasm .
If only orgasm is the issue, then it could be the meds he is on . Many meds cause anorgasmia. Also there are meds that can help achieve orgasm such as the anti depressant Wellbutrin . Talk to your doctor about the problems. Dont give up if it is important . There are ways around most issues.