Sexual function and mental distress status of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

There were changes in the sexual functioning of the patient with ESRD after starting hemodialysis. This was marked by decrease in the sex urge, the frequency of intercourse, and the level of satisfaction. The majority of the male patients reported some amount of morning erection, indicating reasons other than physiologic reasons for their sexual dysfunction. The level of mental distress was very low, and younger patients may suffer from a higher level of mental stress. Intervention through individual counseling and sex therapy may be beneficial to most of these patients.