Can patients with IgA nephropathy have sexual intercourse?

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on September 04, 2024

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Patients with IgA nephropathy can engage in sexual intercourse, but there are certain prerequisites. Firstly, this disease is not contagious, and it will not be transmitted to the partner during intercourse. Secondly, there is not a significant relationship between renal function and sexual capability; patients with kidney diseases typically retain normal sexual and reproductive functions. However, since sexual activity requires a certain amount of physical strength, and in cases where the patient's condition is particularly severe, it might render the patient unable to engage in sexual activities. Therefore, if the patient does not have significant hypertension, severe edema, especially genital edema, pulmonary edema, or heart failure, they would be capable of engaging in sexual activities, and thus can have intercourse.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

55sec

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Why doesn't IgA nephropathy cause swelling?

IgA nephropathy refers to the abnormal deposition of IgA immunoglobulin in the glomeruli of patients, which causes an inflammatory response and damages the glomerular capillaries. The extent of this damage varies, so not all patients will experience swelling. If the condition is severe, causing significant proteinuria, patients may develop hypoproteinemia and consequent decrease in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure, leading to swelling. If renal failure has occurred, the kidneys' ability to excrete water decreases, which can also cause swelling. Some patients may experience swelling due to damage to the renal tubules, which increases the reabsorption capacity for water. Otherwise, patients may not show obvious swelling, such as those with only mild proteinuria and hematuria, whose clinical symptoms are not pronounced.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

48sec

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Can IgA nephropathy patients eat watermelon?

IgA nephropathy is a chronic glomerulonephritis with varying degrees of severity and diverse clinical manifestations. Whether patients can eat watermelon depends on their kidney function and the presence of edema symptoms. If patients have kidney failure and noticeable edema, it is advised that they avoid eating watermelon, as it contains a significant amount of potassium ions. Consuming watermelon may lead to hyperkalemia due to the intake of large amounts of potassium ions. The main component of watermelon is water, and if patients have noticeable symptoms of edema, eating watermelon may exacerbate these symptoms and even cause issues like hypertension. If patients do not have noticeable edema and their kidney function is normal, eating small amounts of watermelon should not be a major concern.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

1min 1sec

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IgA kidney disease symptoms

IgA nephropathy is characterized by the deposition of IgA in the glomerular mesangial regions and is a common type of glomerulonephritis. It is also a major cause of uremia. IgA nephropathy typically affects adolescents. Once diagnosed, patients primarily experience recurrent macroscopic hematuria, especially after skin infections or respiratory infections, during which blood in the urine becomes more apparent. Of course, there can also be asymptomatic hematuria and increased urinary protein. Some patients with IgA nephropathy may also experience edema, particularly in the eyelids and facial area upon waking up in the morning, and in severe cases, there may be an increase in blood pressure and a decline in kidney function. It is essential for patients with IgA nephropathy to have regular follow-ups to monitor changes in routine urine tests, kidney function, and blood pressure, and to seek active treatment if the condition worsens.

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Written by Ji Kang

Nephrology

1min 15sec

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How to determine the stages of IgA nephropathy?

IGA nephropathy has different grading methods, such as Lee grading and Hass grading. Both classify the pathological changes of IGA nephropathy into five stages, with similar descriptions. According to the Lee grading: Grade 1: Most glomeruli are normal, with occasional mild mesangial widening or without cellular proliferation, and no tubulointerstitial changes. Grade 2: Glomeruli show focal mesangial proliferation, with no tubulointerstitial changes. Grade 3: Glomeruli exhibit diffuse mesangial proliferation, with occasional segmental focal lesions, rare crescents, and adhesions, focal interstitial edema, and rare cellular infiltration. Grade 4: Glomeruli show diffuse severe mesangial proliferation and sclerosis, partial or segmental glomerulosclerosis, crescent formation observed but less than 45%, tubular atrophy, interstitial infiltration. Grade 5: The nature of the lesions is similar to grade 4 but more severe. Crescent formation in glomeruli is greater than 45%.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng

Nephrology

1min 10sec

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Is IgA nephropathy stage 2 serious?

IgA nephropathy, when classified according to the World Health Organization, is divided into five stages. Stage 2 IgA nephropathy generally indicates that the patient has a relatively mild condition, with only mild lesions. More than half of the glomeruli are normal, and only a small portion of the glomeruli show increased mesangial cells and glomerulosclerosis. Generally, crescent formations do not occur. Clinically, patients with Stage 2 IgA nephropathy typically exhibit proteinuria and hematuria, usually with normal blood pressure and normal kidney function. Therefore, for patients with Stage 2 IgA nephropathy, it is crucial to maintain a regular lifestyle, avoid infections and fatigue, and refrain from using nephrotoxic drugs. In cases of infection, it is important to actively control the infection. Of course, if the patient's proteinuria exceeds 0.5g, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can be used to reduce proteinuria and simultaneously protect kidney function.