Abstract
Adolescents are at risk for unwanted pregnancy when they become sexually active, and
contraception is an important part of mitigating this risk. Use of contraceptive methods,
and long-acting reversible contraceptive methods such as implants and intrauterine
devices in particular, has increased among adolescents. Although sexual activity has
declined and contraceptive use has increased among adolescents in the United States
in recent years, the unintended pregnancy rate remains high. All of the currently
available contraceptive methods are safe and effective for adolescents to use; however,
adolescents may have specific concerns about side effect profiles and unscheduled
bleeding that should be addressed during contraceptive counseling. Healthcare providers
should prioritize adolescents' needs and preferences when approaching contraceptive
counseling, and also consider the unique access and confidentiality issues that adolescents
face when accessing contraception.
Keywords
adolescents - contraception - pregnancy - birth control
