The influence of chronic kidney disease on sexual function of women

The article describes the current view on hormonal changes in women of reproductive age, pre- and postmenopause with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including sexual and reproduction function disturbances, menstrual cycle changes, infertility and miscarriage, as well as the influence of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on sexual and reproductive function. Menstrual cycle changes characterized as anovulation and amenorrhea. The lack of LH peaks and absence of estradiol changes according to menstrual cycle phase, hypoestrogenemia, hyperprolalactinemia are the basis of hormonal disfunction. Results of experimental studies have shown renoprotective effect of estrogens by influencing the synthesis and release of vasoactive substances, cytokines and other growth factors that are responsible for the functional abnormalities of mesangial cells, and preventing the action of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β-1), which plays a role in the process of glomerulosclerosis.