Reproductive health and knowledge among youth with sickle cell disease

Knowledge related to reproductive health in adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) is not fully addressed. We evaluated reproductive health and knowledge among adolescent girls with SCD. Seventy-nine adolescents, 13-21 years of age completed a survey on reproductive health and knowledge with menarche age 13.2 (± 1.7) years. Fifty-four percent reported dysmenorrhea and 49% reported SCD pain a week before menstrual cycle. Sixty-two percent reported discussing contraception and pregnancy with medical providers. Adolescents reported late menarche, dysmenorrhea, and pain with menses. Knowledge of overall reproductive health was inadequate. There is an urgent need to improve reproductive education in this population.