How does chronic kidney disease affect women?

Chronic kidney disease can interfere with ovulation, cause irregular periods, and affect a woman's fertility.

Studies show that women are five times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease than men. The disease in women leads to a variety of special health problems, including the following.

Irregular menstruation

If kidney function drops below 20% of normal, the buildup of waste products in the body can interfere with ovulation. This can affect menstruation and make it difficult to conceive. Chronic kidney disease can cause excessive bleeding or irregular periods, or both. When a person begins dialysis, irregular periods can get worse and may stop altogether. In addition, a person may experience menopause three to five years earlier than normal.

Reproductive problems

Chronic kidney disease interferes with ovulation, affecting a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. It can also lead to complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and premature birth. In addition, stress during pregnancy can lead to significant loss of kidney function and worsen existing health conditions such as anemia, vitamin D deficiency, and high blood pressure.

Mental health

Having chronic kidney disease also affects the patient's psychology. About 25% of women with chronic kidney disease are likely to suffer from depression.

In addition to the above consequences, the disease can also put women at risk of cardiovascular and bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Because when the kidneys are weakened, they cannot produce hormones such as vitamin D, which is important for bone strength. Chronic kidney disease also reduces libido and causes problems related to sexual health.

Chronic kidney disease seriously affects women's health. Photo: Freepik — Chronic kidney disease seriously affects women's health. Photo: *Freepik*

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the disorder, control symptoms, reduce complications and slow the progression of the disease through medication. In addition, choosing foods or daily diet plays an important role in controlling the disease.

Limit salt intake: Patients should completely avoid products with added salt such as potato chips, salty foods, canned foods, frozen foods, processed meats and cheeses, and other fast foods.

Low potassium foods: People with chronic kidney disease should avoid foods high in potassium such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, and spinach. People with chronic kidney disease should eat foods low in potassium such as apples, berries (blueberries, raspberries, cranberries), strawberries, grapes, cabbage, green beans, carrots, and garlic. In addition, most salt substitutes contain potassium, so people with chronic kidney disease should also avoid them.

Protein restriction: It is not possible to avoid protein completely, but it is important to limit protein-rich foods such as beans, lean meats, milk, eggs, and cheese. Instead, eat low-protein foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and breads.

Limit phosphorus: Healthy kidneys are responsible for maintaining the right amount of phosphorus in the body, but excess can weaken bones. Therefore, patients should limit foods rich in phosphorus such as whole-grain bread, whole grains, nuts, sunflower seeds, etc. While foods low in phosphorus such as corn or rice cereal, unsalted popcorn, lemon juice, etc. are recommended.

Limit fluid intake: Although water is essential for life and a healthy person should provide plenty of water to the body (about 2-2.5 liters of water per day), in case of chronic kidney disease, the body needs less fluid. This is because the diseased kidneys cannot remove excess fluid. Therefore, it is not advisable to consume too much liquid or water-rich foods such as soups, ice cream, gelatin...

When a person has chronic kidney disease, the organ cannot function properly, leading to waste and fluid buildup in the body, causing problems with the heart, bones, etc. But when a patient follows a kidney-friendly diet, limiting the intake of certain minerals and fluids, waste and fluid buildup can be avoided, and further damage to the kidneys can be reduced.

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