title: Sex and the mentally retarded: is sterilization the answer?
abstract: The sexuality of the mentally handicapped concerns them, their parents, their family physicians and other health professionals. Parents need advice, and the well-informed family physician who has the family's trust is in a good position to give it. However, the physician must protect the rights and autonomy of the mentally handicapped patient concerning contraception, surgical sterilization and hysterectomy. Before recommending a method of contraception, the physician must identify any medical risks and be satisfied that the patient clearly understands risks and advantages. Sterilization as a method of contraception should never be considered unless the patient chooses it; involuntary sterilization can produce serious and significant psychological damage. The physician must give a detailed explanation to make sure the patient electing to be surgically sterilized understands the procedure and has fully consented without coercion. Hysterectomy should never be used as a method of sterilization.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: McCracken