Menstrual Problems Experienced by Women with Learning Disabilities

Rodgers, Jackie; Lipscombe, Jo; Santer, Miriam

doi:10.1111/j.1468-3148.2005.00298.x

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Nevertheless, menstrual issues have important impacts upon daily activities including restrictions on employment and social participation, as well as issues related to hygiene needs among these young women. Furthermore, previous research among parents and carers of women with intellectual disability found that menstrual problems were no more common in this group than in the general population, but may be experienced more negatively and not always appropriately recognised [45]. Further research is needed to develop optimal strategies for menstrual management for young women with Down syndrome and other intellectual disability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Health Conditions and Their Impact among Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

et al. 2014

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ObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of medical conditions and use of health services among young adults with Down syndrome and describe the impact of these conditions upon their lives.MethodsUsing questionnaire data collected in 2011 from parents of young adults with Down syndrome we investigated the medical conditions experienced by their children in the previous 12 months. Univariate, linear and logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsWe found that in addition to the conditions commonly experienced by children with Down syndrome, including eye and vision problems (affecting 73%), ear and hearing problems (affecting 45%), cardiac (affecting 25%) and respiratory problems (affecting 36%), conditions also found to be prevalent within our young adult cohort included musculoskeletal conditions (affecting 61%), body weight (affecting 57%), skin (affecting 56%) and mental health (affecting 32%) conditions and among young women menstrual conditions (affecting 58%). Few parents reported that these conditions had no impact, with common impacts related to restrictions in opportunities to participate in employment and community leisure activities for the young people, as well as safety concerns.ConclusionThere is the need to monitor, screen and provide appropriate strategies such as through the promotion of healthy lifestyles to prevent the development of comorbidities in young people with Down syndrome and, where present, to reduce their impact.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Health Conditions and Their Impact among Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

et al. 2014

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“…In more recent years, health education for young women with ID has incorporated sex education, including information about menstruation and the menopause. Given the age of the younger women in this study, however, it seems that this knowledge is not being well retained, possibly because women with ID have difficulty in understanding the basic principles underlying the menstrual cycle (see Rodgers 2001; McCarthy 2002; Rodgers et al 2006; Mason & Cunningham 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Rodgers et al (2006) noted that while women with ID are likely to experience the same type of menstrual problems as women without ID, unfortunately these women’s negative experiences may not always be recognized. Roughly half of our sample also needed help with their personal hygiene during menstruation (see also Rodgers 2006; Mason & Cunningham 2007) and their carers often reported that they found providing this aspect of care somewhat unpleasant, as well as rather intrusive (see also Carnaby & Cambridge 2002). Despite this, some women, although potentially able to cope, are never given the opportunity to learn how to manage their own menstrual care (Griffen et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this, some women, although potentially able to cope, are never given the opportunity to learn how to manage their own menstrual care (Griffen et al . 1994; Grover 2002; Rodgers et al 2006). This is perhaps an aspect of care provision that needs to be further explored in order to give such women some independence at this intimate time in their lives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Menopausal Experiences of Women with Intellectual Disabilities

Willis

Wishart

Muir

2010

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

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Background Little is known about the menopause in women with intellectual disabilities (ID) save that its onset is earlier than in the general population, and earlier still in women with Down's syndrome (DS). This study directly explored menopausal experiences in women with ID, both with and without DS, with the aim of identifying levels of knowledge of the menopause and of its health and reproductive implications. Methods Information was collected from 45 women with ID (17 DS, 28 non-DS; age 35-65 years) using a semistructured interview. Results Menopausal experiences of the women with and without DS were very similar. Most of the women were unaware of menopause-associated changes in their body and few understood why they menstruated. Difficulties in disentangling behavioural consequences of menopausal symptoms from behaviours arising from other causes were evident. A need for better health education training and more accessible health resources was identified.Conclusions Promoting better awareness of menopauserelated health issues in women with ID seems warranted. Appropriately-tailored health education materials need to be made more readily available.

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“…Not surprisingly, carers reported that only a very few women with ID with whom they had worked had ever been married or had children and that very few knew about the female cycle or how this was related to fertility (McCarthy & Millard, 2003a; Rodgers, Lipscombe, & Santer, 2006; Willis et al., in press). This is perhaps a reflection of prevailing views that understanding reproductive and sexual health is not a priority for women with ID, may be beyond the capabilities of many of them, and may be irrelevant to many.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carer Knowledge and Experiences With Menopause in Women With Intellectual Disabilities

Willis

Wishart

Muir

2010

Policy Practice Intel Disabi

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Overall life expectancy for women with intellectual disabilities (ID) is now significantly extended, and many will live long enough to experience menopause. Little is known about how carers support women with ID through this important stage in their lives. This study investigated carer knowledge of how menopause affects women with ID under their care and how they may help them to cope with it. One‐to‐one interviews were undertaken with 69 carers (7 male/62 female) from a range of backgrounds, all with current responsibility for the care of one or more pre‐, peri‐, and/or postmenopausal women with ID. Carers reported difficulty in disentangling the psychological and physical consequences of the menopause from behaviors and symptoms arising from other causes. There was general recognition of the transitional importance of menopause and a widespread acknowledgment of the resilience that many women with ID show in coping with it. However, carers emphasized the need for health resources to be better tailored to the women's needs and for more relevant health education training for staff. The authors conclude that additional and new demands are placed on service provision as women with ID live longer. An increased awareness of health issues relating to menopause is needed, as are more appropriate and readily available relevant health education materials for women with ID in middle age.

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Menstrual Problems Experienced by Women with Learning Disabilities

Cited by 4 publications

References 24 publications

Health Conditions and Their Impact among Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

Health Conditions and Their Impact among Adolescents and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

Menopausal Experiences of Women with Intellectual Disabilities

Carer Knowledge and Experiences With Menopause in Women With Intellectual Disabilities

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