#84 - Menstrual Manipulation & The Pelvic Exam for Women with Disabilities

Many women and teens use hormones to manipulate their menstrual cycle and so it makes sense this can also be an option for women with disabilities. What ethical considerations come into play and what options are available? What about the pelvic exam? Is it a recommended procedure for this population? How can it be performed with the utmost dignity for patients with differing abilities? The first part of the show will cover reasons for menstrual manipulation and the ethics of making that choice. The last half covers options for menstrual manipulation including considerations that may be specific for those with differing abilities. Also discussed is how to support an individual with disabilities through the pelvic exam. To navigate this territory with us is Dr. Michael Policar. Dr. Pollicar is a Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, as well as Clinical Fellow at the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), where he is an advisor on clinical and reproductive health policy topics. He has served on expert advisory panels of the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs, contributing to the CDC Medical Eligibility Criteria (MEC) for Contraceptive Use (2016), the CDC Selected Practice Recommendations (SPR) for Contraceptive Use (2016), and Providing Quality Family Planning Services: Recommendations of CDC and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs (2014). He is a member of the Quality/Utilization Advisory Committee of the Partnership Health Plan of California and the California Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Council. ***Related Episodes*** #77: Your Body Your Boundaries - Teaching Sexual Health to Individuals with Special Needs #79: Better Medical Visits for Patients with Special Needs #80: Winning Insurance Battles ***Find Kim in Instagram at @journey2lomah*** ***Links to content mentioned in this episode are at www.lomah.org/podcastseason3/84