Viagra is not a wonder drug that can help every kidney patient with sexual problems. It should never be prescribed to patients who have heart problems or have high or low blood pressure.
It was only one of the many treatments that could be given to male kidney patients with erectile dysfunction, Leeds nurse manager and Relate counsellor Lilian Rutherford told the conference.
Sexual problems in kidney patients are no longer being swept under the carpet, said Ms Rutherford, who is herself a transplant patient. Erectile dysfunction affected around ten per cent of male kidney patients, but of these only one in ten received treatment. It could be caused by the side effects of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, beta blockers, diuretics, and drugs for stomach ulcers and reducing blood pressure.
She advised patients asking their unit if the dosage could be reduced, or taking other measures like losing weight. High parathyroid hormone could also make men impotent, and a parathyroidectomy could work wonders in some patients. EPO could also help men with low haemoglobin. The psychological effects of kidney failure could also lead to a loss of sexual function, and psychocounselling could help.
A cuddle and a kiss is worth more to a lot of people than a night of passion where the man might end up with an angina attack, said Ms Rutherford. It was difficult for young people meeting a new partner, but she had managed to work through the problem with many of them.
She described the various physical appliances that could help men:
Not a lot had been written about female kidney patients sexual problems. EPO could help with loss of libido and KY jelly could alleviate dryness. A suggestion from the floor was that a question on sexual problems could be added to the detailed care plans, and the subject could be added to the nurse training curriculum.