OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence, the main manifestations and related factors of sexual dysfunction in female patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI).

METHODS

A multi-factor cooperation cross-section study was conducted. The prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction were assessed using SCASF Microsoft.

RESULTS

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in patients with CRI was higher than that in those without renal insufficiency (P<0.05). The main manifestations in female patients were "decreased libido, lack of orgasm and no feeling of sex pleasure". Stratified analysis on uremia showed that the prevalence and severity of sexual dysfunction of the patients on hemodialysis were similar to those on peritoneum dialysis. The women with kidney allografts suffered less "decreased-libido, lack of orgasm and no feeling of sex pleasure". Multivariate analyses demonstrated that anemia, depression, and the use of beta-blocker were risk factors for decreased libido. Ageing was a risk factor for "lack of orgasm". The use of r-HuEpo was inversely associated with "lack of orgasm".

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual dysfunctions are common in female patients with CRI. The main manifestations are decreased libido, lack of orgasm and no feeling of sex pleasure. The replacement therapy, especially kidney transplantation, could decrease the prevalence or severity of sexual dysfunction. The genesis of sexual dysfunction is multifactorial, including age, physiological factors, psychological factors and medical conditions.