Hysterectomy in the Mentally Disabled Female: An Ethical Dilemma

Abstract

The establishment of menstrual hygiene, specifically among the mentally disabled females, is one of the most critical concerns posing challenges for the individual, family and caretaker. Although the performance of hysterectomy among females with intellectual disabilities (ID) is now trending, but it has given rise to many ethical questions. Therefore, the study aimed to address the ethical dilemmas associated with hysterectomy among ID females, taking reference from a case of 19-year-old female, unable to practice menstrual hygiene.

Keywords

• hysterectomy
• mentally disabled
• intellectual disability (id)
• non-maleficence
• consequentialism
• right based ethics
• paternalism
• duty based ethics