Price, M. M., Physically, mentally disabled teens require special contraceptive care.,
Contraceptive technology update, vol. 8 no. 12
(December, 1987),
pp. 154-6, American Health Consultants, Atlanta, GA, ISSN 0274-726X [doi]
(last updated on 2011/03/28)
Abstract:
Finding the most appropriate contraceptive method for retarded or developmentally delayed young people poses a tremendous challenge to family planning nurse practitioners. Retarded young people have the same sex drive and are influenced by the same pressures affecting sexual decision making as every adolescent. The crucial difference is the retarded person's lack of appropriate information about physical and emotional changes of adolescence, sexuality, and birth control. Since retarded teenagers struggle to be accepted, they tend to be compliant and thus vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Parents are generally more concerned about sexuality in retarded daughters than sons, and many request to have their child sterilized. Mentally retarded teens usually lack the motor skills and motivation to use barrier methods consistently. Long-acting injectable contraceptives such as Depo-Provera offer the greatest protection against pregnancy and have the highest satisfaction rate among parents and caretakers of retarded young people; however, side effects can include depression and weight gain. If hormonal contraception is selected, its effects on seizure activity must be carefully evaluated. In addition, may epileptic teens may be on anticonvulsants or other medications that interfere with the effectiveness of hormonal methods. Sterilization must be approved by the courts and is difficult to obtain if a young woman demonstrates enough comprehension and competence to one day marry and have a family.
Keywords:
Adolescents* • Age Factors • Behavior* • Clinic Activities • Contraception* • Counseling* • Delivery Of Health Care* • Demographic Factors • Family Planning* • Family Planning Personnel* • Family Planning Programs • Handicapped* • Health • Health Personnel* • Intelligence • Mental Retardation* • Organization And Administration • Personality • Population • Population Characteristics • Program Activities • Programs • Psychological Factors • Sex Behavior* • Social Behavior* • Youth*
