Sexual function of women with Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing Hemodialysis and factors related to it

One of the important aspects of life quality is sexual function. Chronic renal failure and its treatments have effect on sexual function. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual function of women with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis and factors related to it. In this cross sectional study, one hundred women with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis at four dialysis units in Karaj were interviewed in 2011 and also their medical records were investigated. Sampling method was census sampling. The instruments used included: demographic data form, the (CES-D) center of epidemiologic studies of depression scale and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and World Health Organization life quality (WHOQOL- BREF) questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS software and using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and coefficient Pearson correlation. The findings indicated that mean score of female sexual function index was 13.22 ± 8.58 (1.2-36 range) and 100% of women had score of female sexual function index lower than 28. Sexual desire decrease, 62% sexual arousal decrease, 52% vaginal lubrication decrease, 60% failure to orgasm, 33% sexual dissatisfaction and 54% dyspareunia were experienced. There were significant inverse correlation between score of female sexual function index undergoing hemodialysis with creatinine level (p=0.016), depression (p=0.016) and positive correlation with hemoglobin level (p=0.001) and total score of life quality (p=0.006). The presence of diabetes showed significant relationship with score of female sexual function (p=0.049). with regard to sexual dysfunction prevalence among women with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis and negative impact on life quality, it seems that in order to provide holistic nursing care, assessment and planning for treating it, is necessary.