A 17-Year-Old Mother Seeking Contraception

In 1996, the document detailed the case of a 17-year-old mother, Ms. B, seeking contraception to prevent pregnancy while she pursued her education. It discussed the challenges adolescents face in accessing contraception, including the need for confidentiality and the fear of pelvic examinations. The document compared the economic costs of different contraceptive methods and their failure rates, noting that oral contraceptives and condoms were the most popular among teenagers, with respective failure rates of 3% and 12%. It addressed concerns about adverse effects such as weight gain and hair loss, particularly with steroid contraceptives like DMPA, and the inconclusive evidence on DMPA's long-term safety. The document recommended a "belt and suspenders" approach to prevent both pregnancy and STDs and suggested that Ms. B consider highly effective contraception like the Copper-T 380A IUD. It also discussed contraception for women with health conditions like diabetes and for breastfeeding mothers, recommending nonhormonal methods or progestin-only pills. The document highlighted the safety of modern IUDs, the benefits of emergency contraception, and the importance of counseling for contraceptive continuation.