Contraceptive Methods for Adolescents
October 1985
in “
PubMed
”
oral contraceptives OCs combined OCs 19-nortestosterone derivative progestin sequential OCs low-dose progestins 17-OH progesterone derivatives cyproterone acetate hirsutism diaphragms condoms IUDs birth control pills combined birth control pills progestin low-dose birth control pills progesterone derivatives cyproterone acetate hair loss acne barrier methods intrauterine devices
TLDR Oral contraceptives are generally recommended for healthy young girls, but specific types may vary based on individual health conditions and barrier methods are less popular among adolescents.
Adolescents were considered a unique group in need of tailored contraceptive advice due to their young age and often incomplete knowledge of contraception and reproduction. Oral contraceptives (OCs) were commonly recommended, provided there were no contraindications like hypertension or diabetes. Standard-dosed combined OCs were preferred over low-dose formulations to ensure effective hypothalamic suppression. For those with benign breast disease or a family history of breast cancer, 19-nortestosterone derivative progestins were suggested, though they could cause side effects like acne or hair loss. Barrier methods, while reliable, were less popular among adolescents compared to simpler options like ovules or jellies. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) were strongly contraindicated due to infection risks, except in extreme cases for mentally ill adolescents.
