Rett syndrome and menstruation.
OBJECTIVE
Describe the experience that girls with Rett syndrome have with menstruation including menstrual hygiene, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and attempts at treatment.


METHODS
Anonymous web-based survey.


METHODS
Convenience sample recruited from Rett syndrome LISTSERV in July of 2009.


METHODS
Mothers of girls with Rett syndrome between the ages of 10-25 who have had at least one menses.


METHODS
Prevalence, frequency, and severity of dysmenorrhea and PMS; hygiene concerns; and treatments attempts and perceived effectiveness.


RESULTS
Dysmenorrhea and PMS are common problems among young women with Rett syndrome. Despite their frequency and severity they do not routinely limit activities. Multiple treatment attempts are common. Hormonal contraception is used mostly for menstrual cycle control with oral contraceptive pills the most commonly used method.


CONCLUSIONS
Young women with Rett syndrome have standard symptoms of dysmenorrhea and PMS as well as autism spectrum specific PMS symptoms. Hormonal contraception is commonly used for menstrual management.
University Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Amy
A
Hamilton
Department of Psychiatry, University Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Michael P
MP
Marshal
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Gina S
GS
Sucato
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: pmurray@hsc.wvu.edu.
Pamela J
PJ
Murray
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008598:Menstruation; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen