Sexual and reproductive function in end-stage renal disease and effect of kidney transplantation / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Advanced chronic kidney disease is associated with impaired spermatogenesis and testicular damage. Semen analysis typically shows a decreased volume of ejaculate, oligo- or complete azoospermia, and a low percentage of motile sperm. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is also common in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and is observed in excess of 50% of these patients. There have been ongoing improvements in survival and quality of life after renal transplantation. One of the most impressive aspects of successful renal transplantation in the young people is the ability of the male patient to father a child. In this article we first review pathophysiology of reproductive failure in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), then ED in ESRD and its management are discussed, finally sexual function in renal transplant patients and management of ED in these patients are reviewed.

Reproduction in women with end-stage renal disease and effect of kidney transplantation

Menstrual problem is common among women with chronic kidney disease, and patients with end-stage renal disease usually have amenorrhea. The rate of pregnancy in women on dialysis is low. Fetal survival in this population has improved, with half of such pregnancies resulting in delivery of a live infant. However, prematurity remains common and accounts for the low-birth weight of these infants. Intensifying hemodialysis by increasing the frequency of treatments is associated with longer gestation and increased likelihood of a successful pregnancy. Intense hemodialysis also improves the control of maternal intravascular volume and reduces the risk of hypotension due to excessive ultrafiltration. Women with chronic kidney disease tend to experience decreased libido and reduced ability to reach orgasm. Sexual difficulties in uremic patients are often worsened by hemodialysis, with a lowered frequency of intercourse, reduced sexual desire, and an increased incidence of sexual failure. There have been ongoing improvements in survival and quality of life after kidney transplantation. In most patients, sexual desire increases significantly after successful transplantation; however, improvement in the frequency of sexual activity and the overall sexual satisfaction is not as high as that in sexual desire. These have been accompanied by an improvement in reproductive function. Pregnancy success rate exceeds 90% after the first trimester in women with kidney transplant. Contraceptive counseling should be provided before transplantation, because ovulatory cycles may begin within 1 to 2 months after transplantation in women with functioning grafts. Breastfeeding is discouraged for patients taking any immunosuppressive drugs