Sexual health of women with disabilities.

A long-term disability can have a profound impact on a woman’s innate sense of sexuality, sexual function and, occasionally, fertility. Research findings suggest that some 14% to 20% of women over 15 years of age have a long-term disability; this means that most physicians will be involved in the care of physically or mentally challenged women. Nevertheless, there is little in the medical literature about sexuality and disability, and many medical school curricula have only recently begun to address the issue in any detail. Various myths about sexuality and disability prevail in our society, with the result that the sexual well-being of disabled women is often neglected. These myths include the following: • disabled women are asexual • only independently functioning women can handle sexual relationships • disabled women who are single are celibate • disabled women cannot be mothers • all disabled women are heterosexual • disabled women should be grateful for sexual relationships • disabled women are different • youth and beauty are essential to sexuality. Physicians can reject these myths and attempt to understand the possible impact of disability on their patients’ sexuality.