Menstrual and contraceptive management in women with an intellectual disability
Grover, S.R.
Medical Journal of Australia 176(3): 108-110
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 11936305 Document Number: 258397
Objective: To review the clinical management of young women with intellectual disabilities with menstrual and contraceptive concerns. Design: Prospective cohort study of all girls and young women with a significant intellectual disability and moderate to high support needs who presented at my gynaecology clinic for management of menstrual and contraception-related issues in the period 1990-1999. Setting: Gynaecology clinic at the Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, and my private consulting rooms. Outcome measures: The clinical management options considered most appropriate for these women, including advice, reassurance, medication (oral contraceptive pill, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, depomedroxyprogesterone acetate, hormone replacement therapy) and surgical options. Results: For 2 of 107 young women, surgical approaches were required to manage their menstrual problems or contraception-related issues. For the remainder of the women, information, advice or medical management were sufficient. Conclusions: Management of the menstrual and contraceptive needs of young women with an intellectual disability is similar in most cases to the management of non-disabled women. Surgical management is required infrequently.