Sexual health contraceptive needs of adolescents with chronic conditions.

Except for the most severely impaired adolescents, youth with disabilities are no less likely to be sexually active than peers. They have the same sexual and marital aspirations as those of peers but feel they are less likely to realize them. They are more likely to receive sexual counseling or sex education from parents. Most sexual problems are learned and result more from isolation than impairment. Most young people with chronic and disabling conditions do not have body image problems. Thus, clinicians need to be able to provide accurate contraceptive guidance as well as sexual health information.