Does dialysis reduce men’s chances of getting women pregnant

[pandama0115]

My husband is 27 and has been on dialysis for three years now, he is stage 4 renal disease. We have a three year old already but we really want another child. Is it possible for me to get pregnant again while he is on dialysis or does dialysis reduce his sperm count? We have been trying for the past 2 years and no luck yet

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Not be to nitpicky but just need some clarification. Stage 4 and on dialysis? That would mean he has around 15 to 30% function. Is he on PD? There are patients who started dialysis on PD at around 20% function or needed it mainly for fluid removal. This would keep residual function longer to have Stage 4 function might help you, after all.

Yes, dialysis affects a man's sperm count. It lowers it. Not only that but, the quality of the sperm isn't as good either. It is my understanding that men with CKD who are not on dialysis (stages 3 and 4) have better quality and number of sperm versus those on dialysis. Perhaps if your husband has that residual function going for him at Stage 4 levels, it bodes well. But dialysis overall? Not sperm quality friendly. There are a good number of academic articles to read regarding this.

But other than that, there are numerous stories out there of men of dialysis fathering children. It may take longer but it is definitely possible.

[pandama0115]

Hi thank you for the information
My husband has less than 4% of operating kidneys left.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Ah, okay, so that is Stage 5 with those numbers. I only wanted to understand the situation better, that's all.  But yes, the prior information still stands. It may be a little more difficult for men to father children on dialysis, but it can and does happen. If you are really concerned about it, your husband can have fertility testing done to see where you stand and go from there. My husband is not on dialysis but he had it done just out of general curiosity. Good luck and I hope the best for you guys.