Evaluation of sexual function in women after hemodialysis and kidney transplantation

Female Sexual Dysfunction (SD) is a multidisciplinary issue that develops in relation to biological, medical and psychological factors and is strongly affected by the psychological and relational status of women. Disorders resulting from disruptions in any of the physiologic processes in the desire, arousal and orgasm phases of the human sexual response cycle are defined as SD. Problems related to sexual function are more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Their prevalence of up to 70% exceeds twice the rate of sexual function difficulties in the general population. Kidney transplantation (RTx) is considered the best procedure to improve sexual functioning because it is more effective than dialysis in the treatment of uremia. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of SD in female patients receiving hemodialysis and renal transplantation due to CRF and to compare these groups with healthy female patients. We included a total of 97 patients, 25 receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, 25 renal transplant recipients and 47 controls. Data were collected using the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and demographic questionnaire. In our study, sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction levels of the dialysis group were lower than the other groups. Pain-discomfort levels of the dialysis group were higher than the other groups. Sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction levels of the transplant group were lower than the control group and higher than the dialysis group. Pain-discomfort level of the transplant group was higher than the control group. In addition, it was lower than the dialysis group. In the light of our results, we think that education and treatment programs should be developed to reduce the loss of sexual function with psychological and physical support in hemodialysis patients. The FSFI scores of our transplant patients in our case series were similar to the control group similar to the literature, but 30% lower. We think that the long-term relationship after transplantation should be examined.