Can patients with chronic renal failure have sexual intercourse?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on March 22, 2025
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Patients with chronic renal failure can have sexual intercourse, but there are prerequisites. Since sexual activity is physically demanding and requires adequate cardiopulmonary function, patients can engage in sexual activity if they do not experience chest tightness or shortness of breath and their blood pressure is well controlled. If there are no obvious symptoms of fatigue, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness during sexual activity, there should be no significant problems. However, since the patients have chronic renal failure, it is advisable to avoid conception unless prepared for pregnancy. Pregnancy can further burden the kidneys in female patients and potentially exacerbate chronic renal failure. Male patients with chronic renal failure may be taking medications that could affect sperm quality. Therefore, contraception should be practiced unless preparations have been made.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

The symptoms of chronic kidney failure are related to the severity of the condition; the more severe the kidney failure, the more symptoms the patient will have. In the early stages, patients may not feel uncomfortable or show any symptoms. Some patients may experience swelling in the lower limbs and facial area. Others may display clinical signs such as elevated blood pressure and visible blood in the urine. As kidney failure progresses and blood creatinine levels exceed 442 umol/L, patients may experience fatigue, which is due to renal anemia. Some patients may also experience a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What are the symptoms of chronic kidney failure?

Chronic kidney failure generally may have some clinical symptoms, but many patients do not have any discomfort. Some common clinical symptoms mainly include increased urine foam and decreased urine output. Due to the decline in renal function for urine excretion, it can lead to edema, particularly in areas such as both ankles and the face. In the state of renal failure, patients may also experience hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Due to metabolic acidosis, patients might exhibit deep and labored breathing. In the advanced stages of kidney failure, patients may suffer from renal anemia, leading to fatigue and potentially experiencing bone pain and susceptibility to fractures due to renal osteodystrophy.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Chronic Renal Failure Treatment Plan

The treatment of chronic renal failure primarily requires a clear understanding of the cause, and treatment targeting the cause is essential to slow the progression of chronic renal failure. The most common causes of chronic renal failure are diabetes, hypertension, and chronic nephritis. Therefore, for patients with chronic renal failure caused by diabetes, insulin is often needed to control blood sugar. For patients with hypertensive kidney disease, antihypertensive drugs are certainly necessary to control blood pressure. However, in the early stages of renal failure, ACE inhibitors or ARBs are the preferred choices. For patients with chronic nephritis in the early stages, corticosteroid medications are required for treatment. However, if the serum creatinine has already exceeded 256 micromoles per liter, treatment then focuses mainly on managing complications, and corticosteroids are no longer used. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can patients with chronic renal failure have sexual intercourse?

Patients with chronic renal failure can have sexual intercourse, but there are prerequisites. Since sexual activity is physically demanding and requires adequate cardiopulmonary function, patients can engage in sexual activity if they do not experience chest tightness or shortness of breath and their blood pressure is well controlled. If there are no obvious symptoms of fatigue, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness during sexual activity, there should be no significant problems. However, since the patients have chronic renal failure, it is advisable to avoid conception unless prepared for pregnancy. Pregnancy can further burden the kidneys in female patients and potentially exacerbate chronic renal failure. Male patients with chronic renal failure may be taking medications that could affect sperm quality. Therefore, contraception should be practiced unless preparations have been made.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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What should I do about edema from chronic renal failure?

Chronic renal failure often leads to edema, which is a common symptom associated with the decreased ability of the kidneys to excrete water, resulting in significant water retention in the body. There are two treatment options for this disease. First, medication can be used, typically diuretics such as loop diuretics. After administration, the patient's urine output increases, which can help reduce edema. Second, for patients who do not respond well to medication, and in cases where edema leads to heart failure or pulmonary edema, dialysis treatment may be considered. Through dialysis ultrafiltration and dehydration, edema can also be alleviated.