Sexual dysfunction and depression in Turkish female hemodialysis patients

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate sexual dysfunction, depression and associated factors in female hemodialysis patients. Methodology: The study had a cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design and was conducted in a dialysis centre located in Erzurum between April and May 2006. Thirty-three female dialysis patients comprised the study sample. Results: Sexual function scores of the female hemodialysis patients in the study were low, and the patients experienced moderate depression. The most common dysfunction was problems in arousal, but pain was the least common complaint. It was determined that with increasing severity of depression, average scores of sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and total FSFI The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) of the patients decreased. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in female hemodialysis patients. It is strongly associated with increasing severity of depression.