J Korean Soc Transplant.
1997 Nov;11(2):309-324.
Resumption of Menstruation after the Kidney Transplantation
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Korea.
- 2Department of Nephrology, Hanyang University Hospita, Korea.
- 3Department of Surgery, Hanyang University Hospita, Korea.
Abstract
- The purpose of this study is to understand women's menstrual changes in connection with a kidney transplantation and to present basic data useful for supplying an appropriate care for those women. A total of 72 women participated. A semi-structured questionnaire which was constructed by the researcher was used. Results are as follows: 1) many of subjects had no mensturation(45.9%) or irregular menstruation(29.3%) from the time they were diagnosed of chronic renal failure to the kidney transplantation, while only a few kept regular menstruation(23.6%). After the kidney transplantation, now the number of women having no menstruation was reduced(15.5%), but the number of women undergoing irregular menstruation(33.8%) and regular menstruation(47.9%) increased, showing the recovery toward regular menstruation after the transplantation. As to changes in menstruation after the transplantation, 73.9% of the subjects experienced changes. Of them, 53.7% had positive changes, from no menstruation to irregular menstruation or to regular menstruation. Meanwhile, 20.3% experienced negative changes, from regular menstruation to irregular or no menstruation. It took 5.1 months, on the average, to resumption of menstruation and 6.9 months to recovery to regular menstruation after the transplantation. 2) These changes showed statistically significant differences in accordance with creatinine level at 12 months after the transplantation, and prednisone dosage at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation. 3) The two groups having menstrual changes and no change showed a significant difference in necessity of counselling or education about pregnancy or contraception. The group that experienced changes showed a higher positive attitude toward necessity of counselling or education. Subjects lack knowledge about menstrual recovery and fertility after the kidney transplantation so that they may damage their health due to improper self-care or unnecessary pregnancy. A proper care and support, especially supply sufficient knowledge and education must be provided by all health care professional. Furthermore, Nurse have to play a key role in this field.
