Sex and PD

If you use PD, you may not feel different before and after an exchange. But give yourself time to get used to having fluid in your belly. If the fluid bothers you, your PD nurse can tell you if it's okay to have sex between a drain and fill, with or without a cycler.

Tape your catheter securely or use a PD belt to keep it out of the way. If you want to have sex while on a cycler, be sure to place the line so it won't get crimped.

Sam is still as sexy to me as he ever was, even with that little tube coming out of his belly. We nonetheless have an active and satisfying sex life. To us, it encompasses holding hands, caressing, flirty looks, smooches, having intercourse—verbally and physically—and whatever else becomes a part of 'making love'. Even Sam's clearing the table or my taking out the trash—the idea is that doing for the other is an act of love. Sexuality is bigger than the bedroom mambo.

Yes, I miss the Sam who was stronger and didn't have the little pot belly—and he misses my svelter self. But that doesn't make him any less attractive to me. He is not just a body, he is my soulmate and partner. That is what makes him so wonderful and loving and lovable—and sexy. The mechanics of CCPD require moving the tubes around a bit to fit our positions and body parts if he is on the machine when we become aroused, but they are hardly a deterrent! We talked about this briefly when he had his catheter put in, and while on CAPD it was only a small distraction. –Mary Lou, wife of Sam