Menstrual function and renal transplantation

Patients with chronic renal insufficiency usually have menstrual dysfunction. Recent methods of managing chronic renal failure include renal transplantation. In a few instances, previously infertile women have become pregnant. We have studied 23 women who have undergone renal transplantation. Our findings support previous contentions that menstrual irregularity is frequent among women with chronic renal insufficiency. Amenorrhea was the prevailing disturbance and it was not reversed by hemodialysis. Renal transplantation was associated with a return of normal menstrual patterns in 60% of our patient population, and 4 patients experienced pregnancy. These findings support our recommendation of reproductive counseling for all women between the ages of 15 and 50 years who are treated by renal transplantation.