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.
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
Topics
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