Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can influence the sexuality of a man both emotionally and physically, especially in the last stages of renal kidney failure. Kidney disease has the capability to trigger chemical changes which in turn affect the energy levels, circulation, functioning of the nerves and hormones in the body. Male sexuality is also often affected by some pre-existing health conditions that might cause CKD like diabetes and high blood pressure. Many men who suffer from kidney diseases suffer from sexual dysfunction. This issue of sexual dysfunction associated with kidney diseases has been for too long been under documented and acknowledged. The most efficient methods that can be used in diagnosis, treatment and management are uncertain due to the scarcity of expert quality data, since total comprehension is needed to understand the weight of complications associated with CKD. The article evaluates the endocrine dysfunction that happens in males with renal disease especially the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis, what causes erectile dysfunction, how the body is altered, infertility and proper treatments that can be administered (Edey, 2017).
The main identifying symptom that many men with kidney disease experience is fatigue. During the initial stages of CKD, the small amounts of fluids and wastes are retained in the body, which results to individuals feeling sluggish or tired. If a doctor is consulted immediately one starts exhibiting these symptoms, they can easily establish the level of kidney function remaining. For individuals who are diagnosed in the last stages of renal diseases, commonly referred to as the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), the physician will refer them to a renal specialist. The main role of the renal dietician is to direct the patient on the diets that are kidney-friendly, such diets have very little waste levels hence reducing or eliminating the amount retained by the body. Absence or minimal presence of wastes and fluids in the body system contribute to a better well-being of the individual (Divisions of Nephrology &hypertension and general internal medicine, 2011).
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The drive to have sex is often very low in men from kidney diseases due to the decrease in the level of hormone producing chemicals. The chemicals responsible for hormones are produced by the endocrine system, the kidneys are part and puzzle of the endocrine system. Hormones play a great part in the body as regulating the sexual desires and attractions. Some hormones are produced by the adrenal glands which are positioned above each kidney, decline in the health of the kidneys is likely to affect these glands and in turn affect their functionality. Physicians can conduct blood tests to establish if the reduced sex drive is due to decrease in the hormone levels. There are approved medications that can be prescribed to help elevate the hormone levels to a normal range. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is another issue affecting most men who suffer from kidney diseases and even many without kidney illnesses. In the U.S it is estimated that about 20-30 million males suffer from impotence problems (National Kidney Disease Education Program, 2016).
CKD does not only affect the health of men physically but also psychologically. The sexuality of men is greatly bruised by CKD, sexuality involves more than just the sexual desire as it includes how an individual express and feels about themselves. When the male body changes due to kidney diseases such as CKD the individual fails to feel attractive or sexually desirable due to the rapid changes in their body. This psychological torture can greatly affect how the individual interacts and develops intimate connections with other people. CKD patients often experience symptoms such as struggles with complexion, body odor, gaining weight, facial and body hair which greatly reduce their confidence in their body image. Male patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are concerned about the abdomen size while those on hemodialysis worry about the appearance of their vascular access. Many males are worried, anxious and some even depressed when they suffer from CKD. Though the emotions displayed are normal they greatly affect their energy levels and interests in various activities including sex. A small portion of men is afraid that engaging in sexual intercourse will worsen their condition or harm their partners. A doctor should be consulted to determine what can be harmful and what isn’t (Edey, 2017).
As CKD progresses, the endocrine system is also continually damaged. Reduced testosterone levels occur due to hypogonadism and hypogonadotrophic primarily in addition to the change in the levels of SHBG. Substitution of testosterone in men suffering from CKD with androgen deficiency has been recommended by some health experts though there is still not enough concrete data to support their theoretical claims.
References
Divisions of Nephrology &hypertension and general internal medicine (2011). Chronic kidney disease (CKD), clinical practice recommendations for primary care physicians and healthcare providers . Henry Ford Health system.
Edey, M. M. (2017). Male sexual dysfunction and chronic kidney disease. Frontier in medicine, 4, 32.
National Kidney Disease Education Program (2016). Retrieved from Http://www.nkdep.gov/professionals/index.htm
