Contraception for Adolescents: An Updated AAP Policy Statement

Pediatricians are encouraged to discuss contraceptive options in the order of their effectiveness — starting with long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Sponsoring Organization: American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP)

Target Population: Pediatricians

Background and Objective

To assist pediatricians in discussing and providing contraceptives to young people, the AAP has updated its 2007 statement on contraception.

Key Points

Adolescents are capable of understanding complex messages that include support for abstinence but also provide appropriate information about sexual activity and contraception.
Discuss the most effective contraceptive methods first. For adolescents, these are intrauterine devices (IUDs) and progestin implants — together called long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).
Progestin implants can remain in place for up to 3 years; their typical-use and perfect-use failure rates a…

Reviewing Author

Alain Joffe, MD, MPH, FAAP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose