Objective:
To investigate the etiology of menstrual disorders among patients undergoing hemodialysis due to chronic renal failure by assessing menstrual history, serum hormone levels, and other biochemical factors.
Material and methods:
Thirty patients undergoing hemodialysis and 30 healthy women at reproductive age were enrolled in our study. Demographic characteristics, hormonal and biochemical data, and sonographically measured endometrial thickness values of the subjects were compared. In addition, the present and the pre-hemodialysis menstrual pattern of the patients undergoing hemodialysis were recorded. The hormonal, hematological, and biochemical data of the patients were compared according to their menstrual patterns.
Results:
No statistical significance was seen between age, BMI, gravida, parity, abortion, and curettage among groups (p>0.05). Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly lower in the hemodialysis group than in the control (p<0.05). Although serum FSH levels were higher and estradiol levels were lower in the hemodialysis group, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Mean serum LH and prolactin levels were significantly higher in the hemodialysis group compared to the control (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was noted for endometrial thickness between the groups (p>0.05). Serum LH and prolactin levels were higher, and serum FSH, estradiol and TSH levels were lower in patients who developed amenorrhea after hemodialysis treatment when compared to non-amenorrheic subjects. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Discussion:
The most important factor in the etiology of menstrual disorders seen in chronic renal failure patients was high serum LH and prolactin levels. Hemodialysis is a successful treatment that extends life expectancy and ameliorates the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis in chronic renal failure patients.
Keywords: Chronic renal failure, hemodialysis, hormone profiles, menstrual disturbances