New ACOG Guidelines on Teen Contraception

Target Audience: Obstetricians/gynecologists and other clinicians who counsel adolescent patients

Background

Three quarters of adolescent pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended. Preventing undesired pregnancy requires effective contraceptive counseling and timely access to contraceptive services. To facilitate this, the ACOG Committee on Adolescent Health Care has identified five clinical best practices.

Key Points

• Regardless of a patient's age or previous sexual activity, contraceptive needs, expectations, and concerns should routinely be assessed.

• Discussions of contraception should begin with information on the safest and most effective methods: intrauterine devices and subdermal implants. As these methods typically provide greater satisfaction, higher efficacy, and higher continuation rates than short-acting contraceptives, they are excellent contraceptives for adolescents.

• Emergency contraception should be routinely included in all discussions of contraceptive options, and clinicians should consider prescribing emergency contraception pills in advance.

• Common misperceptions about contraceptives should be addressed in a way that is age-appropriate and compatible with the patient's health literacy.

• During initial encounters and all follow-up visits, clinicians should also assess sexual concerns, behavior, relationships, prevention strategies, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines.