Capacity and consent for contraception

Females with intellectual disability need to be assessed for their capacity to consent to contraceptive management. Those with mild to moderate disability can often be supported to achieve capacity to consent for themselves, although this may take more than one consultation (eg if consideration is being given to a long-acting reversible contraceptive method).

For people who lack capacity to consent, contraceptive decisions can be made by the person responsible (see Decision making for people with developmental disability); paid carers who may accompany the female to the consultation are unable to provide consent. Contraceptive methods that can be considered include oral contraceptives, depot medroxyprogesterone injections, implant and intrauterine contraceptive devices. Female sterilisation is classified as a major treatment and can only be approved by the Guardianship Board or equivalent, not by the female’s Guardianship Board-appointed Guardian.