Abstract: FR-PO0965
Gaps in Reproductive Health Counseling for Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Global Survey of Nephrologists
Session Information
- Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
- 2100 Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
Authors
- Semaska, Nedas, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Deevers, Marin, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Vinson, Amanda Jean, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
- Shah, Silvi, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Background
Despite the clinical relevance of reproductive health to kidney transplant recipients, nephrologists report low rates of addressing these topics and counseling gaps remain poorly characterized. This study assessed nephrologists' practices, perceived importance, and barriers regarding reproductive health topics in kidney transplant patients.
Methods
A quantitative survey was distributed to transplant nephrologists in the U.S. and internationally via REDCap. Nephrologists reported discussion frequency, perceived importance, and barriers for seven topics: menstrual health, sexual health, contraception, pregnancy, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), immunosuppression, and breastfeeding. After data quality screening, 115 respondents were included in the analyses.
Results
The surveyed providers were predominantly female (59%), U.S.-based (60%), and academic (70%), with a mean age of 45 years. Immunosuppression, pregnancy, and contraception were found to be the most frequently discussed topics (93%, 88%, and 83% reported ever discussing), consistent with their direct kidney-specific implications. The remaining four topics (menstrual health, sexual health, ARTs and breastfeeding) were discussed at much lower rates. ARTs was the least discussed topic overall (72% never discussed). Reported discussion rates revealed a clear preference for discussing traditional versus non-traditional reproductive health subjects in nephrology settings. Among providers who indicated that contraception was very important to discuss, 60% reported regularly discussing it with patients, whereas only 33% of those who indicated sexual health was very important reported the same. Barriers varied by topic; time constraints and perceived irrelevance dominated across most subjects, while patient discomfort emerged as a distinct barrier for sexual health, and physician knowledge gaps were the primary obstacle for ARTs.
Conclusion
Reproductive health counseling in kidney transplant care remains narrowly scoped, driven by medical prioritization of kidney-specific topics with less focus on non-traditional subjects. Comprehensive counseling will require structural support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education targeted to underaddressed areas.