--- title: Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life? description: Girls with intellectual disability had similar menstrual patterns to other girls, but experienced significantly lower quality of life during menstruation and url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/assessing-the-menstrual-cycle-and-related-problems-in-adolescents-with-a-genetic-2023/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life? Cohort study, 2023 # Do girls with intellectual disability have worse menstrual quality of life? Girls with intellectual disability had similar menstrual patterns to other girls, but experienced significantly lower quality of life during menstruation and missed much more school due to periods. Moderate study design 49 adolescent girls with genetic syndrome and intellectual disability, compared to 50 girls without intellectual disability ## What they did Researchers surveyed 49 adolescent girls with a genetic syndrome causing intellectual disability and 50 girls without intellectual disability. They asked about menstrual history, pain, school absences, and quality of life. Caregivers provided information for girls with more severe disability. ## What they found Menstrual patterns were similar between the two groups. However, girls with intellectual disability missed much more school due to periods (40.5% versus 8%). About 73% of girls with intellectual disability needed help with menstrual care. Quality of life scores were significantly lower during menstruation in the intellectual disability group across social, school, and emotional areas. No mothers requested menstrual suppression as a treatment. ## What it means for you Girls with intellectual disability struggle more with the practical and emotional aspects of menstruation despite having similar cycle patterns. This group may benefit from better support and education about periods. The study is relatively small and focused on one specific genetic condition, so results may not apply to all girls with intellectual disability. 40.5% School absence rate in intellectual disability group 8% School absence rate in control group 73% Girls with intellectual disability needing help with menstrual care ## About the study Original title Assessing the Menstrual Cycle and Related Problems in Adolescents with a Genetic Syndrome Associated with Intellectual Disability Authors Çınar HÜ, Kızılkan MP, Akalın A et al. Journal Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology Year 2023 Study design Cohort study Participants 49 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2023.02.005](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2023.02.005) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 2026 How common is PMDD among college women and what increases the risk? Interview study, 2024 How do young women use period tracker apps to manage their menstrual cycles? Survey study, 2026 Why is understanding PMS awareness in teenage girls important? Survey study, 2025 How much do period problems like painful periods and PMS affect college girls' daily lives? Survey study, 2025 What is premenstrual syndrome and how can it be managed in adolescent girls? Survey study, 2021 How common are menstrual problems in adolescent girls? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗