The nature and extent of help given to women with intellectual disabilities to manage menstruation

Background Menstruation has been shown to be problematic for many women with intellectual disabilities. There has been a greater focus on menstrual suppression or elimination than on help and training to manage menstrual care successfully. Method A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in England to investigate the help and training currently given to women with intellectual disabilities. Results Twenty‐nine percent of the women had never been given the opportunity to learn how to manage their own menstrual care. Where someone had tried to teach the woman, this was most often her mother. Carers were giving considerable amounts of assistance with menstrual care, although some of the women with more profound disabilities were able to manage menstrual care independently. Conclusions The authors argue that all women with intellectual disabilities should have the chance to manage or assist with their own menstrual care, backed by a strategic approach to menstrual education and support.