Management of Menstrual and Gynecologic Concerns in Girls with Special Needs
Open Access
- 1 January 2020
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Galenos Yayinevi in Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology
- Vol. 12 (1), 41-45
- https://doi.org/10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.s0174
Abstract
For girls with physical and developmental disabilities and their families/caregivers, puberty and menstruation can present significant problems such as vulnerability, abuse risk, unintended pregnancies, difficulties with managing menstrual hygiene, abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, behavioral difficulties/mood concerns or changes in seizure pattern. Healthcare providers may have an important and positive impact for both the adolescents and their families/caregivers during this stage of life. Whether menstrual manipulation is indicated should be decided after a detailed history is taken from both the patient and the caregivers to determine the impact of current problems on quality of life. It should be explained that complete amenorrhea is difficult to achieve and realistic expectations should be addressed. The goals for the management of menstrual concerns should be a reduction in the amount and total days of menstrual flow, reduction of menstrual pain and suppression of ovulatory or cyclic symptoms, depending on each individual patient's needs. Advantages and disadvantages of available treatment methods should also be discussed.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Menstrual suppression for adolescentsCurrent Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2014
- Committee Opinion No. 602Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2014
- Combined oral contraceptives: venous thrombosisEmergencias, 2014
- Practice Bulletin No. 136Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2013
- Autism Spectrum Disorders and MenstruationJournal of Adolescent Health, 2011
- Clinical pharmacokinetic interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormonal contraceptivesExpert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2010
- The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (Mirena) for the treatment of menstrual problems in adolescents with medical disorders, or physical or learning disabilitiesBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2009
- ACOG Committee Opinion No. 349: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital SignObstetrics & Gynecology, 2006
- Down Syndrome and Thyroid Disorders: A ReviewDown Syndrome Research and Practice, 1999
- Treatment of menorrhagia during menstruation: randomised controlled trial of ethamsylate, mefenamic acid, and tranexamic acidBMJ, 1996