Systematic review, 2019
How is PMS identified and treated in women with intellectual disabilities?
PMS is more common in women with intellectual disabilities, but there is no standard way to diagnose it or measure whether treatment works. Diagnosis relies on observers watching for symptoms rather than women reporting them.
What they did
Searched for studies on identifying and managing PMS in women with intellectual disabilities. Reviewed 27 full-text papers and selected 10 research studies involving 414 women with intellectual disabilities and PMS.
What they found
All studies showed that PMS is more common in women with intellectual disabilities than in the general population. No standard symptom checklist exists for diagnosis. Treatments varied between care centers and included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, birth control pills, progesterone injections, and intrauterine devices. No consistent method was used to measure whether treatment worked.
What it means for you
Women with intellectual disabilities likely have more PMS than other women, but doctors lack standard tools to diagnose it and measure treatment success. The review recommends using a modified symptom diary and individualized treatment plans. More research is needed.
10
studies analyzed
414
women studied
27
full-text papers reviewed
About the study
- Original title
- Current evidence for the identification and management of premenstrual syndrome in women with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review
- Authors
- Nina Catherine Cooper, Deepa Balachandran Nair, Sile Egan et al.
- Journal
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Systematic review
- What was tested
- Various PMS treatments: NSAIDs, birth control pills, progesterone injections, intrauterine contraceptive systems
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1108/amhid-05-2019-0015
Topics
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