The primary care of women with chronic renal disease

Nephrologists are often responsible for the primary care of their female patients with chronic renal disease. As such, they must be cognizant of medical issues that are unique to women. Awareness and implementation of routine hearth care maintenance and cancer screening recommendations are essential. The provision of reproductive health services, which includes menstrual history assessment, contraception counseling, and services relating to child bearing and sexual functioning, is also necessary. Menopausal health concerns and hormone replacement therapy are frequently overlooked and need to be addressed. In general, the primary care of women with chronic renal disease is similar to that of women without renal disease and should adhere to current standards of preventive care. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.