Sexuality, fertility, and maintaining a positive body image are important aspects of life. However, these may be affected when you have kidney disease. Positive body image is a huge factor in sustaining a healthy psychological development while undergoing kidney dialysis. To help you on this, feel free to ask your healthcare team about the following:
Sexuality
Accept that no one wins this battle with kidney disease without scars from vascular accesses, peritoneal dialysis catheters, or transplant. Also, it is worthy to take note that some conditions connected to your kidney disease may reduce your interest in performing sexual intercourse. These conditions include the following:
Pregnancy
Having a baby is a big life decision for everyone in general. It is even more complex when kidney disease is added into the picture. Only you and your partner can decide what is best for you, and how much risk the both of you are willing to take.
Pregnancy with Haemodialysis
If you are on haemodialysis, your nephrologist may alter your treatment to adjust with your pregnancy needs.
Pregnancy with Peritoneal Dialysis
If you are on peritoneal dialysis, your nephrologist may alter your treatment to adjust with your pregnancy needs.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a big question for women on dialysis. High levels of sodium and kidney wastes in the bloodstream make the milk unsafe for infants. Also, many drugs may appear in breast milk that can be harmful to infants.