Sexuality, Contraception and the Mentally Retarded

Sexuality marriage and contraceptive use for the mentally retarded are discussed and a historical perspective of attitudes toward their fertility is presented. Along with current improved understanding of medical and sociopsychiatric characteristics of the mentally retarded must come reevaluation of ideas about sexuality of such persons. Contraception should be considered a feasible method of reproductive control for many retardates with or without supervision and sterilization should be an alternative rather than a mandatory approach. Use of IUDs or an oral or injectable contraceptive is strongly suggested.