Sexual Activity

In addition to returning to work or school as soon as possible, a patient may resume sexual activity as soon as he feels well enough. How quickly he feels ready will depend largely on his recovery progress. This is a subject that should be discussed during clinic visits.

When people experience transplantation, sexual functioning may be affected. Likewise, certain medications can interfere with sexual functioning. Some people avoid sexual activity because they are afraid of organ rejection or infection. If a patient has any of these concerns, he may want to check with his transplant team. If he is sexually active and does not have a steady sexual partner, it is essential to use condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis, or gonorrhea.