POG 00019 Contraceptive Counselling in Adolescence

Abstract

In our Western society a teenage pregnancy has in many cases a long-term adverse and sometimes irreversible effect both on the mother and the child. Despite the availability of good contraceptives for teenagers, adolescent pregnancy still remains a major problem. In this article the reasons for this deficient contraceptive behaviour are discussed in the light of the socio-psychological characteristics of adolescence. Guidelines for the physician dealing with contraceptive counselling in adolescence are given.