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Date issued: October 2022

Review date: October 2024

Ref: A-511/AS/Renal/Sexual Health, Family Planning and Kidney Transplantation

PDF:  Sexual Health, Family Planning and kidney final October 2022.pdf [pdf] 233KB

Family Planning & Kidney Transplantation:

Women

It is recommended that you wait at least a year after your transplant before becoming pregnant. If you are planning on starting a family, please notify the team and we can book you in for a pre-pregnancy counselling session where we can discuss the safest options for conceiving. Studies have shown that one of the medications you need to take post-transplant, Mycophenolate, can cause an increase in miscarriage during the first trimester, as well as foetal abnormalities and birth defects. It is therefore especially important to plan when you are going to try and conceive with the medical team, as Mycophenolate will need to be stopped 6 weeks, 3 months before conception and changed to a safer alternative.

Men

As with women, it is recommended you wait at least a year before trying to conceive following transplantation. Similarly, there is a potential risk to the foetus whilst taking Mycophenolate, therefore the team will need to know if you are planning to start a family, so they can make any necessary changes to medications.

Sexual Health and Sexual Function

• After your transplant, sexual activity can be resumed once you are feeling up to it. It is recommended to wait until your scar has started to heal but otherwise do not worry about damaging the transplanted kidney.

• Most issues with sexual function will improve following transplantation if they were a result of CKD / dialysis. For women, it is usually easier to conceive as it is very unusual to become pregnant whilst on dialysis. For men, sperm count may improve, as well as problems with erectile dysfunction. It is therefore recommended to use effective contraception if you are not planning to have a family. Barrier methods (e.g., condoms / diaphragms) are the recommended forms of contraception post-transplant, as other methods like the Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) for example, can put women at a greater risk of infection.

• It can be a very emotional time following a transplant and such emotions like stress or depression can also impact sexual function. If sexual function problems persist, please do not be embarrassed to talk to your transplant team, as there are ways they can help.

Male & Female specific cancers

As women are at an increased risk of cervical cancer after transplant, we encourage you attend your routine smear tests when invited.

We also strongly encourage you to do regular self-checks (testicles or breast). With cancer now affecting 1 in 2 people, it is more important than ever to report any changes to a medical professional.

Further information

Sexual Health in Plymouth (SHiP) https://yourship.uk

Coppafeel, check your boobs or pecs www.coppafeel.org

Breast Cancer UK www.breastcanceruk.org/check-your-breasts

Baggy Trousers UK http://baggytrousersuk.org/check-your-nuts

Macmillian Cancer Support How to check your balls (testicles) www.macmillan.org.uk