Sexual health contraceptive needs of adolescents with chronic conditions
R. W. Blum
Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Except for the most severely impaired adolescents, youth with disabilities
are no less likely to be sexually active than peers. They have the same
sexual and marital aspirations as those of peers but feel they are less
likely to realize them. They are more likely to receive sexual counseling
or sex education from parents. Most sexual problems are learned and result
more from isolation than impairment. Most young people with chronic and
disabling conditions do not have body image problems. Thus, clinicians need
to be able to provide accurate contraceptive guidance as well as sexual
health information.
