Reproductive and gynaecological issues in Saudi women with end stage renal disease

Women with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) have hormonal imbalance leading to gynaecological and reproductive disturbances. The objective of this study was to see the reproductive and gynaecological problems associated with ESRD. Forty Saudi Arabian women with a diagnosis of ESRD for a period of 60 months were interviewed at the dialysis unit of King Fahd University Hospital, Al Khobar.The average age was 51.5 +/- 17.1 years with a range of 19-90 years. Eighteen (45%) were premenopausal with a mean age of 36.5 +/- 11.1 years. Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension was the cause of ESRD in 29 (72.5%). Out of 18 menstruating women 11(61.1%) had irregular periods. Only 2 had children after ESRD was diagnosed. Thirty-three (82.5%) women did not have their regular mammograms and 25 (73.5%) had no pap smears. Our study shows that majority of women with ESRD have gynaecological and reproductive issues which are being neglected.