Parents of women with intellectual disabilities are going straight for sterilisation procedures rather than ”existing and viable options” to help control menstruation and contraception, a national Senate inquiry has heard.
Associate Professor Sonia Grover, a gynaecologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital, told the hearing she was horrified when she received ”straight-out” requests for hysterectomies. She said increasing access to respite care, helping women manage their periods, and ensuring contraception is in place are options ”so these young women, if they are able, can enjoy a close sexual relationship without risks of pregnancy if they are not able to have a pregnancy and care for a child”.
Read the full story... (off-site)- Topics:
- Health, Human Rights
- Author:
- Vince Chadwick
- Source:
- The Age
- Date published:
- Wed 2nd Jan, 2013