Contraceptive care for adolescents

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jun;51(2):268-80. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e31816d713e.

Abstract

Adolescents have a high rate of unintended pregnancy: 82% of pregnancies for women aged 15 to 19 years are unintended. The large majority of sexually active adolescent women are using some method of contraception, but few are using long-acting highly effective methods, that is, intrauterine devices and implants. Most adolescent women are relying on oral contraceptive pills and/or condoms as their most effective method, with the third most common method being depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. None of the long-acting highly effective methods are contraindicated in adolescents, and they should be considered for use and offered to young women as contraceptive options.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Contraception / methods*
  • Contraception / standards
  • Contraception / statistics & numerical data*
  • Contraceptive Devices / statistics & numerical data*
  • Contraceptives, Oral / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy, Unwanted*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Contraceptives, Oral