Sexual activity is an important part of normal adult life. Your desire and sexual function may have been very limited before your transplant due to your liver disease and illness. Both men and women may find as they recover from liver transplant that their desire for sexual activity has returned. Most centers advise that patients wait for six to eight weeks before resuming sexual activity because of the stress on the abdominal muscles, but how quickly patients feel ready for sex after transplant is different with every person. Ask your transplant doctor or coordinator when it is medically safe for you to have sex. Also discuss any concerns with your spouse/partner so that he/she understands your feelings about resuming sexual activity.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Since transplant recipients are at higher risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STD), particularly if they are not in a monogamous (one partner) relationship. If you are not in a monogamous relationship, it is imperative that latex condoms are used to decrease the transmission of STDs during sexual activity.

There are some additional considerations for patients who have received transplants for hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Sexual partners of patients who have hepatitis B may wish to be tested for the virus and should be vaccinated if they are not immune. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is rare but can occur. Sexual partners may also be tested for this virus. However, if this is a long-term sexual relationship and partners do not have the virus, the risk of contracting the infection may be low. You may wish to talk to your transplant doctor or coordinator if you and your partner are considering whether or not to use condoms.