Survey study, 2005
Do women with intellectual disabilities experience more period pain and PMS?
Women with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder reported more period pain than is typical. However, the sample was very small and relied on parent reports, so firm conclusions are difficult.
What they did
Gave questionnaires to parents of 24 women with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder in Australia and New Zealand, asking about period pain and premenstrual symptoms.
What they found
Women with Down syndrome were more able to directly report pain or point to where it hurt compared to women with autism or Asperger syndrome. Women with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder appeared to have a higher rate of period pain compared to women in the general population. Pain was often only noticed through behavior changes rather than direct reporting by the woman.
What it means for you
Women with intellectual disabilities, especially autism spectrum disorder, may experience more period pain, but it may be harder to recognize because they don't communicate it the same way. The main limitations are the very small sample (24 women), the study being only in Australia and New Zealand, and relying on parent observations rather than direct reports from the women.
24
Women with intellectual disabilities surveyed
About the study
- Original title
- Health issues and quality of life in women with intellectual disability
- Authors
- Kyrkou M
- Journal
- Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 24
- What was tested
- None – observational study of health experiences
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2005.00749.x
Topics
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