ABSTRACT

The uremic milieu plays an important role in the development of sexual dysfunction in chronic renal failure. High FSH and LH and low testosterone levels are reported in uremic men and testosterone level returns to normal after a successful kidney transplantation. Spermatogenic abnormalities and loss of libido and potency associated with a defect in testosterone biosynthesis have been reported in about half of hemodialysis patients. It is well established that libido and potency, which are of disorders of sexual dysfunction persisting during hemodialysis in men with uremia resolve after renal transplantation. In this article pathophysiology of sexual dysfunction is firstly reviewed, and later erectile dysfunction and its treatment are discussed.