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Abstract: TH-PO747

Abnormal Menstruation and Female Reproductive Hormones in Kidney Failure

Session Information

Category: Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

  • 2100 Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

Authors

  • Chang, Danica H., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Ahmed, Sofia B., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Brennand, Erin Alexandra, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Ruzycki, Shannon M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Dumanski, Sandi M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Background

Kidney failure disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, resulting in reproductive hormone abnormalities. It is not fully understood if these disturbances impact menstruation in females living with kidney failure treated with dialysis. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) describe menstruation and changes in menstrual patterns with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, and (2) assess associations between reproductive hormones and menstrual pattens among females with kidney failure.

Methods

Females aged 18-50 years were recruited from dialysis clinics around Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Using a self-administered survey, demographic, kidney health, and menstrual health histories were recorded. Blood samples were collected to measure follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, sex hormone binding globulin, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed as appropriate.

Results

Twenty-seven females [n=23 hemodialysis (age 36 (IQR: 31,44) years), n=4 peritoneal dialysis (age 38 (IQR: 30,45) years)], largely identifying as white cisgender women were included. In the hemodialysis group, 52% reported absent menstrual bleeding during dialysis, though only 17% reported this during CKD and 9% before CKD diagnosis (P=0.01); however, there was no difference in proportions across timepoints in the peritoneal dialysis group (25% each) (P=0.92). In the hemodialysis group, 48% described heavy menstrual bleeding during dialysis; this proportion did not differ during CKD (65%) and before CKD diagnosis (70%) (P=0.20). Among participants on peritoneal dialysis, 25% described heavy menstrual bleeding during dialysis, which did not significantly differ during CKD (25%) and before CKD diagnosis (50%) (P=0.91). All the hormone levels did not differ between those with absent and present menstrual bleeding during dialysis, nor did it differ between those with heavy and normal menstrual bleeding.

Conclusion

Among females with dialysis-dependent kidney failure, proportions of absent and heavy menstrual bleeding were high. No associations between reproductive hormone levels and menstrual status were observed, underscoring the uncertainty around how kidney disease affects female reproductive health.

Funding

  • Government Support – Non-U.S.