PD37-04 AT ONE POINT THEY HAD THE LUNCH LADY COMING UP TO ASSIST IN THE CHANGING OF HER PADS: PERIOD EXPERIENCES OF GIRLS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR UROLOGISTS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023PD37-04 AT ONE POINT THEY HAD THE LUNCH LADY COMING UP TO ASSIST IN THE CHANGING OF HER PADS: PERIOD EXPERIENCES OF GIRLS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR UROLOGISTS Jodi Kreshmer, Daniela Wittmann, and Courtney Streur Jodi KreshmerJodi Kreshmer More articles by this author , Daniela WittmannDaniela Wittmann More articles by this author , and Courtney StreurCourtney Streur More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003335.04AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the menstruation experiences of girls with physical disabilities. As urologists are often the first line of sexual health support, we sought to better understand their experiences from the perspective of their parents. METHODS: Parents of adolescent girls with a physical disability ages 8-26 were recruited through convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews probing experience with periods were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Coding of the interviews was conducted by two members of the research team using Grounded Theory. RESULTS: Twenty-one mothers of girls (average age 13.9) with spina bifida (10), cerebral palsy (9), spinal cord injury (1), or other physical disability (1) participated. Seven themes emerged, including: 1) parent and girl’s preparation for periods, 2) discordance between physical and cognitive development, 3) cross-section of disability and menstruation, 4) experience with menstrual management, 5) emotional response to periods, 6) desire for privacy, and 7) decisions regarding period suppression (Table 1). Parents were often surprised by the unique physical, social, and emotional challenges with menstruation and menstrual management their daughters faced. This was exacerbated by the need to rely on schools or caregivers for assistance for many, with variable support, and concerns about the risk of sexual assault. Both parents and girls often viewed periods as another burden to need to learn how to manage. Parents desired proactive provider support to help them manage their daughter's menstruation and respect for the decisions they made for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Girls with physical disabilities and their parents face unique challenges with menstruation. As urologists, we should inform parents about the possibility of precocious puberty and menstruation challenges, address difficulties with bladder management during periods, make referrals as indicated, and respect the family’s decisions. Source of Funding: This work was sponsored by a K23 award from the NICHD © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e987 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Jodi Kreshmer More articles by this author Daniela Wittmann More articles by this author Courtney Streur More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...