Women with CKD may commonly experience abnormal menstruation and infertility

In a recent study, researchers shed light on the often overlooked intersection of female reproductive health and chronic kidney disease (CKD), emphasizing the impact on morbidity, mortality, and overall quality of life. While this link has remained relatively unexplored, the study sought to bridge this gap.

This mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases. The first phase featured an internet-based survey, running from October 4, 2021, to January 7, 2022. It included individuals between the ages of 18 and 50, diagnosed with CKD and possessing a uterus. In the second phase, semistructured interviews were offered to all respondents who completed the survey.

Of the 152 respondents, 98 met the inclusion criteria, hailing from three continents. Their CKD was attributed to various causes, with glomerulonephritis being predominant in nondialysis CKD and transplant patients. Most participants reported experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, affecting 86% of dialysis, 94% of nondialysis CKD, and 100% of transplant patients.

Worryingly, less than half of the respondents were consistently able to afford period products. Condoms were the most frequently reported contraceptive method. Moreover, the majority of participants reported no contraceptive use, primarily due to "fear."

The study highlighted the prevalence of abnormal menstruation and period poverty, denoting the inability to afford period products and the ensuing socioeconomic consequences. These issues were found to be widespread among female CKD patients. The low rate of contraceptive use further underscored a significant gap in the provision of sex-specific care within this population.

This research is groundbreaking in that it delves into the intricate relationship between female reproductive health and CKD. While data has often centered on dialysis and transplant patients, this study brings all stages of CKD into focus. The findings emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary care to address the unique needs of female CKD patients.

The study underscores the pressing need for tailored, sex-specific care for female CKD patients. By addressing the challenges related to abnormal menstruation, period poverty, and contraceptive use, healthcare providers can significantly enhance the quality of life for this vulnerable population.

Source: 

Chang, D. H., Dumanski, S. M., Brennand, E. A., Ruzycki, S. M., Ramage, K., Gantar, T., Shah, S., & Ahmed, S. B. (2023). Female Reproductive Health and Contraception Use in CKD: An International Mixed-Methods Study. In Kidney Medicine (Vol. 5, Issue 10, p. 100713). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xkme.2023.100713