Contraceptive methods in adolescence: a narrative review of guidelines

Abstract

Purpose

Adolescent pregnancy, while recently in decline, remains a matter in need of addressing. Education and counselling are deemed crucial and this review aims at comparing published contraceptive guidelines, thus resolving any surrounding misconceptions.

Materials and methods

Recently published contraception guidelines regarding adolescent pregnancy were retrieved. In particular, guidelines and recommendations from ACOG, RCOG, SOCG, AAP, CPS, NICE, CDC, and WHO were compared and reviewed based on each guideline’s method of reporting.

Results

Three categories of contraceptive methods are available for adolescents and recommendations on their initiation should be made based on their efficacy, according to all guidelines. Therefore, long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) should be highly recommended as the most effective method (typical use failure rate: 0.05%), followed by short-acting hormonal contraceptives (typical use failure rate: 3–9%). The third contraceptive option includes contraceptives used in the moment of intercourse and displays the lowest effectiveness (typical use failure rate: 12–25%), mostly due to its dependence on personal consistency, however offers protection against STI transmission.

Conclusion

Adolescents should be encouraged to initiate contraception, with LARCs being the primary choice followed by short-acting hormonal contraception. However, regardless of the chosen effective contraceptive method, the use of condom is necessary for STI prevention.

SHORT CONDENSATION

Adolescent pregnancy, while recently in decline, remains a matter in need of addressing. The use of contraceptive methods such as LARCs and short-acting hormonal contraceptives should be encouraged and suggested based on effectiveness with the addition of condom for STI prevention.

摘要

目的：青少年怀孕虽然最近有所下降, 但仍是一个需要解决的问题。教育和咨询是至关重要的, 这次回顾旨在比较已公布的避孕指南, 从而解决误区。

材料和方法：检索最近发表的关于青少年怀孕的避孕指南。特别是, 根据每个指南的报告方法, 对ACOG、RCOG、SOCG、AAP、CPS、NICE、CDC和WHO的指南和建议进行了比较和回顾。

结果：青少年有三种避孕选择, 按照所有指南, 应根据其有效性提出建议。因此, 强烈推荐长效可逆避孕药( LARCs )作为最有效的方法(失败率: 0.05 %), 其次是短效激素类避孕药(失败率: 3% ∼ 9 %)。第三种避孕选择是在性交时使用的避孕药具, 其有效性最低(失败率: 12%-25 %), 这主要是由于其对个人连贯性的依赖, 但可以预防性传播疾病。

结论：应鼓励青少年主动避孕, LARCs是首选, 其次是短效激素避孕。然而, 无论选择哪种有效的避孕方法, 避孕套的使用对于预防性传播疾病都是必要的。

总结

青少年怀孕虽然最近有所下降, 但仍是一个需要解决的问题。应鼓励使用LARCs和短效激素避孕药等避孕方法, 并根据有效性建议使用避孕套, 以防止性传播疾病。

Keywords:

• Adolescent
• adolescence
• contraception
• contraceptive methods
• birth control
• guidelines
• effectiveness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).