Kidney Health In Women: Understanding The Risks And Importance Of Early Screening

Women must prioritise their kidney health because chronic kidney disease is often silent and symptoms are seen when significant damage has already occurred. Here are some important things that a doctor wants you to know.

Kidney Health In Women: Understanding The Risks And Importance Of Early Screening (Photo: Freepik)

World Kidney Day 2025: Kidneys are two of the most precious organs in the body, tasked with the responsibility of removing toxins from the system and cleaning the blood. Diseases related to the kidneys are not age-specific, which is why it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and go for screenings periodically. Doctors warn that kidney disease is a growing health concern, and women are at a higher risk due to hormonal and pregnancy-related factors. Despite this, kidney-related conditions in women often go undiagnosed, or are detected at later stages, leading to severe complications like kidney damage. Many women, therefore, may require dialysis or kidney transplant. Read on to know about the importance of regular kidney health screening, early diagnosis, and treatment options that can improve the quality of life.

Kidney Health Risks In Women

According to doctors, kidney problems are alarmingly surging in women. A woman's kidney health is impacted by various factors, including hormonal changes, autoimmune disorders, and pregnancy-related complications. Dr Samrat Shah, internal medicine expert at Apollo Spectra Pune says women between the ages of 25 and 55 years can suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), wherein their kidneys stop filtering waste from the blood. Basically, the kidneys fail to work as they should.

"There is a 5 per cent rise in kidney disease in women from last year. Even pregnancy can put additional pressure on the kidneys, making them prone to diseases. Moreover, pregnancy is an important time when kidney health must be closely monitored. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy tend to raise the risks of kidney damage. Women must opt for blood tests (serum, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to know the severity of kidney disease," the doctor advises, adding that urine tests, including urinalysis and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) must also be conducted to check for protein, blood, or other abnormal substances in the urine; it helps to know about kidney damage.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, and kidney biopsy is also recommended to women.

Kidney Disease Diagnosis And Symptoms

Dr Shah goes on to say that kidney disease can be 'silent' in its early stages. "Many women may not experience symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Fatigue, swelling, changes in urination, and high blood pressure are common warning signs," he states.

According to the health expert, regular screening -- especially for women with diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease -- can help with early detection and timely treatment. "The line of treatment is usually designed by a doctor after thorough health check-up. Women must stay vigilant when it comes to kidney health. Those with severe kidney damage will be advised to undergo dialysis. Kidney transplantation will be the last resort for transforming lives. It is the need of the hour for women to take charge of their health and prevent kidney problems," the doctor concludes.