Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing for Women with Intellectual Disabilities

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Disparities in Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescribing for Women with Intellectual Disabilities
Language: English
Authors: Charis Bontoft (ORCID 0000-0001-9577-6773), Indermeet Sawhney (ORCID 0000-0001-6554-5472), Asif Zia, Danielle Adams
Source: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2026 39(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Intellectual Disability, Females, Drug Therapy, Physiology, Foreign Countries, Adults, Health Services
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70192
ISSN: 1360-2322
1468-3148
Abstract: Background: People with intellectual disabilities who menstruate are underrepresented in menopause research and care. Methods: A mixed-methods service evaluation was conducted in one NHS Trust. In Phase 1, prescribing data from electronic health records for women aged 40-79 with intellectual disabilities (n = 149) was extracted and statistically compared to estimates for the general population. Phase 2 comprised a focus group with psychiatrists (n = 6) and an interview with a GP (n = 1); data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings: HRT was prescribed to 3.3% of people with intellectual disabilities, versus 17.2% in the general population, indicating significantly lower prescribing (p < 0.0001). Qualitative themes highlighted low clinician awareness, diagnostic overshadowing, concerns about monitoring and system-level issues. Facilitators included psychiatrist advocacy, proactive carers and clearer primary-to-secondary care collaboration. Conclusions: Women with LD were substantially less likely to receive HRT, suggesting a marked inequity in menopause care. Recommendations are made to improve recognition, treatment access and outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504027
Database: ERIC
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