Menstrual education programs for girls and young women with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A systematic review

Background: Providing menstrual education and guidance for menstrual management for girls and young women with intellectual disabilities is recommended to ensure smooth pubertal transitions and to support menstrual self-agency.

Method: The purpose of this systematic review is to explore menstrual education interventions for girls and young women with intellectual disabilities.

Results: Nine studies were included. Interventions were provided in small groups (n = 4) and individually (n = 5). Most studies used dolls (n = 7) and task analysis (n = 7) to teach pad-replacement skills. All reported significant improvements in participant skills and/or knowledge following the intervention. Only one study addressed self-agency and self-esteem as an outcome of the intervention. Menstrual education for girls and young women with intellectual disabilities is largely focused on pad-replacement skills.

Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand the impact of menstrual health and hygiene education on variables apart from skill improvement such as self-agency and long-term health outcomes related to menstrual health.