Ovulation in uremic women: the reproductive cycle in women on chronic hemodialysis.

We studied five uremic women of fertile age and on chronic intermittent haemodialysis over a 3-month period. The purpose of this investigation was to establish how often the hormonal pattern indicated ovulation in uremic women and, thereby, the possibility of an inexpedient pregnancy. The pituitary ovarian axis was estimated by analyzing the serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteotropic hormone, progesterone, estradiol, and prolactin. Forty percent of the investigated cycles seemed to be ovulatory, though with a slightly atypical hormonal pattern. Because of these factors, it is recommended that sexually active women of fertile age and on chronic intermittent hemodialysis consider the use of contraception in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies.