Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
06:18
An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
13.0K
Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing for Women With Intellectual Disabilities
Charis Bontoft1, Indermeet Sawhney1, Asif Zia1
1Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), Hatfield, UK.
Summary
Women with intellectual disabilities receive significantly less hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopause compared to the general population. This study highlights inequities in menopause care and calls for improved access and recognition for this underrepresented group.
Area of Science:
- Women's Health
- Health Services Research
- Intellectual Disabilities Research
Background:
- Menopause research and care significantly underrepresent individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- There is a critical need to address disparities in healthcare for women with intellectual disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prescribing patterns of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women with intellectual disabilities.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to HRT access in this population.
- To recommend improvements in menopause care for women with intellectual disabilities.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods service evaluation was conducted in an NHS Trust.
- Phase 1 involved statistical comparison of HRT prescribing data (n=149) in women aged 40-79 with intellectual disabilities against the general population.
- Phase 2 included qualitative analysis of a psychiatrist focus group (n=6) and a GP interview (n=1).
Main Results:
- HRT prescribing was significantly lower (3.3%) in women with intellectual disabilities compared to the general population (17.2%).
- Qualitative findings revealed low clinician awareness, diagnostic overshadowing, and system-level issues as barriers.
- Psychiatrist advocacy, proactive carers, and improved care collaboration were identified as facilitators.
Conclusions:
- Women with intellectual disabilities experience substantial inequity in accessing HRT for menopause.
- Urgent recommendations are needed to enhance recognition, treatment access, and health outcomes.
- Addressing these disparities is crucial for equitable women's health.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
74
Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
74
01:24Dosage Regimen: Individualization
250
Individualization in dosing regimens is the customization of medication doses for individual patients. Its necessity arises from the goal of maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks. This approach is pivotal because human responses to drugs can vary widely; what is effective for one person may be inadequate or excessive for another. Interpatient (intersubject) variability refers to differences in drug responses between individuals, while intrapatient (intrasubject) variability...
250
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
339
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
339
01:29Intellectual Disability
945
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
945
01:16Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
1.0K
Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
1.0K
01:22Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Stability-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
235
Generic intravenous (IV) drugs are considered bioequivalent to their branded counterparts due to their 100% bioavailability upon administration. However, variations in stability among different drug products can significantly influence their therapeutic performance, even if they are pharmaceutically equivalent.Cefuroxime, a prophylactic antimicrobial, is often used as a single-dose IV injection for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A 3 g dose typically provides...
235