title: Study of menstrual patterns in adolescent girls with disabilities in a residential institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gynecological health needs of girls with disabilities is an issue related to their rights as individuals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to describe the menstrual pattern of girls with disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was undertaken on thirty girls with different types of disabilities in a residential institution. The diagnosis, type of disability, secondary sexual characters, age at menarche, menstrual pattern and practice of menstrual hygiene was noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The girls with intellectual disabilities had later age of menarche, irregular cycles and more behaviour problems. The girls with hearing impairment and locomotor disabilities had normal menstrual pattern. The girl with low vision had earlier menarche and regularized cycles. Girls with normal intelligence and mild intellectual disabilities were independent in maintaining menstrual hygiene. The menstrual disorders are managed conservatively in accordance with latest guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Onset of menarche is towards the extremes of normal age range in girls with intellectual disabilities or visual impairment but not in girls with hearing impairments or locomotor disabilities. Girls with disabilities have potential for independent menstrual care. Menstrual disorders were managed conservatively.
authors.forename: Ganesh Arun
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Prajakta Ganesh
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Joshi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008572:Menarche / Q000502:physiology*; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012112:Residential Facilities; D055815:Young Adult